Palestinians Have Visas Reinstated to Enter Australia

“They have experienced unimaginable horrors in Gaza,” Palestine Australia Relief and Action Group said

People march with flags and placards during a rally in support of the Palestinian people in Sydney on November 19, 2023. Thousands of civilians, both Palestinians and Israelis, have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip entered southern Israel in an unprecedented attack triggering a war declared by Israel on Hamas with retaliatory bombings on Gaza. (Photo by Saeed Khan / AFP) Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images

Gazans attempting to enter Australia have had their visas reinstated by the Australian Labor government after they were previously cancelled.

After fleeing Gaza, the Palestinians had their visas rescinded while further security checks were conducted by the Australian government.

This caused lots of “tears, uncertainty, and anxiety” for the individuals and was described as a “complete mess” by Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA) founder and director Samah Sabawi on March 13.

However, this cancellation has now been reversed in some cases after the checks were completed, enabling the Palestinians to travel to Australia, SBS reported.

At least 12 Palestinians had been stranded at airports such as the United Arab Emirates and Turkieye, the publication reported.

A rally was held outside the Department of Home Affairs during the week demanding that the visas be reissued.

“Restore the visas, safe haven for all,” a sign seen outside the government offices said.

PARA said it was relieved to learn that cancelled visas of Palestinians fleeing “the horrors of Gaza” had been reinstated.

The group said at least eight of the 12 Palestinians that were being supported by the group had their temporary visas reinstated.

The team at PARA said they had been working with the Australian Federal government and legal team to assist the Palestinians impacted by the visa cancellations.

PARA Board Director Reem Borrows said, “we are so relieved,” noting the individuals will now be able to “safely reunite with family in Australia.”

“They have experienced unimaginable horrors in Gaza, and we want to continue working with the government to respond to these people with compassion and humanity,” Ms. Borrows said.

“Australians have led with compassion in recent days – writing letters, donating transit hotel costs, and advocating for the right of Palestinian migrants and refugees to have safety. We are so grateful for their help in getting loved ones to Australia.”

Australian Government Reinstates Funding to UNRWA

Meanwhile, the Australian government has reinstated funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) operating in Gaza.

This follows the Canadian and Sweden governments announcing similar decisions earlier in March. However, the United States is continuing its pause on funding to the UNRWA.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Australian government will work with UNRWA on an ongoing basis to ensure its integrity and neutrality are beyond reproach.

“The additional assistance provided, including support for airdrops, is recognition that we need to pursue all avenues to address the suffering in Gaza,” Ms. Wong said.

“Only UNRWA has the infrastructure to receive and distribute aid on the scale needed right now in Gaza.”

However, Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham said the Coalition does not support the decision.

“No Australian taxpayer dollars should go to support any organisation whose staff or operations may support, incite, or undertake terrorist actions the likes of which we saw on Oct. 7,” Mr. Birmingham said.

“So why has the Albanese Labor government made this decision, directly contradicting the approach of the United States who await the outcomes of the investigation into UNRWA and in the interim are pursuing alternate means of delivering more humanitarian assistance?”