‘Important for the People of Gaza’: Foreign Minister Keen to Restore Confidence in UN Relief Agency

Penny Wong said Australia is ‘deeply concerned’ about the loss of life and diminishing safe space for Palestinians in Gaza. 

A man carries away bags of humanitarian aid in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Nov. 26, 2023. Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images

Foreign Minister Penny Wong is keen to restore confidence in the United Nations so Australia, Canada, Japan, and others can help Palestinians in Gaza, after speaking to United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on Feb. 8.

Australia and multiple other nations including the U.S. paused funding for the UNRWA in late January after allegations emerged that 12 staff were involved in the Hamas terror attack on Israel.

While Ms. Wong said the allegations against UNRWA are serious and can not simply be ignored, she added “no other organisation” can provide humanitarian assistance on the ground in the way UNRWA does.

She said what’s important to people on the ground is, “How do we restore confidence so, Australia, Canada, Japan, and others are in a position to provide further funding to UNRWA? That’s what matters.”

Australia’s Foreign Minister said the primary concern is making sure donors, especially those who have not provided the next round of operational funding, can attain confidence by the end of the month.

“We have already provided that funding previously, so there are other donors whose next round of operational funding is required. So it’s in UNRWA’s interest for there to be sufficient confidence for those decisions to be made,” Ms. Wong said in an ABC television interview.

She highlighted that the UN itself considers the allegations against staff brought about by Israel as serious, based on their actions launching two inquiries.

“Now, we have spoken to the Israelis and we have asked for further evidence, but I think it is clear from UNRWA’s own actions that they regard these allegations as serious,” Ms. Wong said.

“They have taken action including terminating the employment of a number of employees and putting in place an inquiry. In fact, there are two inquiries now.”

Ms. Wong added Australia is “deeply concerned” about the loss of life and diminishing safe space for Palestinians in Gaza.

Ultimately, she said Australia would like to see a humanitarian ceasefire and a pathway to peace, including a “pathway to a two-state solution.”

The foreign minister said Australia is a “respected voice” to advocate for peace but not a “great power in the Middle East.”

“We’re not a participant. We’re not obviously, part of the Middle East. And what countries ultimately do or what various states or entities do is a matter for them. But we are a respected voice and we should use it to advocate that pathway to peace,” Ms. Wong said.

The Federal government announced $21.5 million (US$14 million) for Gaza, including $6 million for the UNRWA in January.

At the time, Opposition Home Affairs spokesperson James Paterson raised alarm bells about sending funding to an organisation that had been linked to Hamas in the past.

“UNRWA is a United Nations agency which operates in Gaza and the West Bank and it has in the past been implicated with funding, inadvertently, organisations like Hamas,” Mr. Paterson said.

“UNRWA is an organisation which we cannot be assured Australian taxpayers money is well spent and I do want the government to be able to reassure Australians that taxpayers money won’t end up finding its way to Hamas because they funded UNRWA.”

United States Border Security Bill Would Block UNRWA Funding

Meanwhile, in the United States, a “bipartisan” immigration bill dominating election debate currently would block funding to the UNRWA.

The proposed legislation is supported by the Democrats and some moderate Republicans, but does not have the support of Trump-aligned conservatives.

The Huffington Post noted the bill delivers a ”significant blow“ to humanitarian aid for Palestinians.

The bill prevents funds approved via the passage of the bill, along with prior funding, from being made available to the UNRWA.

The text of the bill specifically states (pdf): “None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act, and prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs, may be made available for a contribution, grant, or other payment to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, notwithstanding any other provision of law.”

However, despite having the support of U.S. President Joe Biden, this legislation is facing barriers due to other Republican concerns relating to border security and may not pass Congress.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has claimed it will be “dead on arrival” in the House, even if it manages to pass the Senate.