Australia calls on Israel to reconsider its ban on UN aid agency
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called on the Israeli government to revoke its ban on aid agency UNRWA, emphasizing the importance of continuing humanitarian work.
Australia is pushing for Israel to reconsider its recent decision to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), highlighting the essential nature of its life-saving activities and criticizing Israel for disregarding the International Court of Justice.
The vote in the Israeli Parliament approving the ban passed 92-10 following a heated debate between proponents and opponents of the law, predominantly members of Arab political parties.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, along with her counterparts from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the UK, released a joint statement condemning the Knesset’s prohibition on UNRWA operating in Israel after labeling it a terrorist organization.
UNRWA serves as a primary provider of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Numerous staff members have been casualties of Israeli attacks, making this current conflict the deadliest for U.N. workers.
“Without their work, the delivery of crucial aid and services, including education, healthcare, and fuel distribution in Gaza and the West Bank, would be significantly disrupted if not impossible,” the joint statement asserted.
‘Life-Saving Work’: Wong
Wong also utilized social media platforms to advocate for the continuation of assistance in the region.
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“UNRWA plays a critical role in saving lives. Australia opposes the Israeli Knesset’s decision to severely limit UNRWA’s operations,” she emphasized.
“Australia reiterates the call for Israel to adhere to the binding directives of the International Court of Justice to enable the provision of essential services and humanitarian aid on a large scale in Gaza.”
Reportedly, over 42,000 individuals have perished in Gaza since the commencement of Israel’s offensive, with thousands more trapped beneath debris or missing.
The offensive was triggered by a Hamas-led assault on Israel in October 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 others.
Government Services Minister Bill Shorten stressed the necessity of providing aid to displaced individuals in Gaza.
“Many Palestinian civilians who are not associated with Hamas are enduring hardships, and it’s crucial that they receive sustenance and support,” he told ABC TV.
“There are hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians who are suffering, and they should be our top priority.
“The international community must urge Israel to protect civilians and extend assistance to them. It’s not their fault.”
The United States joined global critics of Israel’s decision, with State Department spokesman Matthew Miller expressing deep reservations about the move.
An Israeli soldier stands in what the military described as a Hamas command tunnel running partly under UNRWA headquarters in the Gaza Strip on Feb. 8, 2024. Dylan Martinez/Reuters
Vice-President of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, remarked that the ban “would effectively obstruct UNRWA’s vital operations in Gaza and severely hinder its service delivery in the West Bank.”
In a post on X, he asserted that the legislation contradicts international law and the fundamental principle of humanity.
The law, which will not be immediately enforced, comes at a time when Israel faces mounting pressure to allow humanitarian supplies into Gaza.
UNRWA’s Director, Philippe Lazzarini, also expressed concern on X, stating that the ban establishes “a dangerous precedent” and will “exacerbate the suffering of Palestinians,” characterizing it as “the latest attempt in an ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA.”
UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma told AFP that it is “outrageous for a member state of the United Nations to work towards dismantling a U.N. agency that is the largest humanitarian responder in Gaza.”
The agency has been delivering aid and aid across Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in addition to assisting Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria for over seven decades.
Israel has alleged that some of UNRWA’s employees were involved in the Oct. 7 attack, that hundreds of its workers have ties to Hamas, and that the Israeli military has discovered Hamas assets near or under UNRWA facilities.
UNRWA denies any deliberate cooperation with militant groups and emphasizes its swift removal of suspected combatants from its ranks.
AAP contributed to this story.
