Uncertainty Over NZ’s Position on UN’s Gaza Funding Support

A truck marked with United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) logo crosses into Egypt from Gaza at the Rafah border crossing during a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel, on Nov. 27, 2023. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters)

Various key figures in the New Zealand government—and the foreign affairs ministry—seem unclear on whether or not the country has suspended funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Israel has previously alleged that some of the agency’s staff were involved in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas fighters in southern Israel. The incident left around 1,300 people dead and another 250 taken as hostages, many of whom are still missing.

More than 10 donor countries have so far suspended their funding, including the United States, Germany, Canada, Australia and the UK.

Contributions from countries represented 94.9 percent of the agency’s total funding in 2022, with the remainder being a limited subsidy from the UN, which is used exclusively for administrative costs.

That means that, without external contributions, the agency cannot continue to deliver aid.

Ministry Offers Reassurance

On Jan. 29, a senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade official assured media outlets that the $1 million (US$613,890) planned for New Zealand’s 2024 contribution was only being “assessed” prior to the payment being made.

That in turn differed from information given in an interview by Finance Minister Nicola Willis, who said the $1 million had already been paid and “we have a planned contribution next year, and we'll assess the situation prior to that payment being made.”

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However, on his way into the National Party’s caucus meeting today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand would be withholding funding until Foreign Minister Winston Peters (who is leader of coalition partner NZ First, and a deputy prime minister) gave the go-ahead.

He said the allegations were “incredibly serious” and that it was “important they are properly understood and investigated, [so] we won’t be making any further contributions until the foreign minister says it’s good to do so. That'll take as long as it takes.”

Peter’s Position Differs from PM

Then in the afternoon, Mr. Peters said the funding had not been suspended.

“I’ve taken the same view as the Norwegian foreign minister, it is to do far more research, find out what we’re dealing with—we’re talking about 13,000 people in Gaza, and humanitarian need and desperation is important—and that’s why I’m taking the time to find out,” he said.

The prospect of a funding cut by New Zealand—even though it is only the 42nd largest contributor to UNRWA—brought a dire warning from former Prime Minister Helen Clark, who was administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2009.

“The UN has said it will have a full investigation, the Secretary-General himself has implored countries not to cut funding at this time when the Palestinian population is so besieged,” Ms. Clark said.

“So I think countries like New Zealand [should be] taking a deep breath and saying, ‘Look, let this investigation run and let’s see where we are’ rather than just jump in and cut funding when it’s badly needed. It makes no sense to cripple the major humanitarian delivery agency of the United Nations at this time.

“If you’re going to defund and destroy this platform, then the misery and suffering of the people under bombardment can only increase and you can only have more deaths.”

Opposition Urges Continuation

That view was echoed by the Labour opposition’s foreign affairs spokesman David Parker, who said that the people in charge of aid organisations were “cleaning out their militants.

“This is no time to cut aid,” he said. “A humanitarian disaster is unfolding in Gaza, 85 percent of the population are displaced. That is millions of people.

“Hepatitis is spreading because of unclean drinking water and sanitation. Over 26,000 are dead and more than that injured, with hospitals severely damaged and medical supplies as basic as anaesthetics in short supply.”

New Zealand’s commitment to UNRWA is due to expire in 2025.

UN Investigation Underway

After Israel provided it with information supporting the allegation that some of its staff had been involved in the attack, UNRWA fired several of its employees on Friday.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement,"To protect the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay.

“Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also pledged an “urgent and comprehensive independent review” of the UNRWA would be conducted.

UNRWA was established in 1949 to deliver aid to tens of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes by Jewish militias in areas that currently form part of Israel.

The agency operates in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, as well as in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria—the neighbouring countries where the Palestinians took shelter. It is one of the largest employers in Gaza, with 13,000 people, mostly Palestinians, on staff.