‘Foreign Minister Comments on UN Funding Pause in Gaza Leading to Starvation of 40,000 Palestinians’
Australia recently announced that it would pause funding to the U.N. Relief Works Agency due to alleged involvement with Hamas
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has brought attention to the humanitarian work of the U.N. relief agency operating in Gaza amid Australia suspending funding on Jan. 27.
The decision to halt funding to the U.N. Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) comes after allegations emerged that staff may have been involved in the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel. This action by Australia has been supported by the United States, Canada, Germany, Finland, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
However, the opposition expressed concerns about possible links to Hamas several weeks before the funding was suspended.
Hamas’ attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 resulted in more than 1,200 deaths and led to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring “we are at war.”
During a joint press conference with New Zealand allies in Melbourne, Ms. Wong mentioned that thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are starving as a result of this decision.
She noted that Australian governments have been funding the U.N. relief agency since 1951, highlighting that it is the only organization delivering “substantive support.”
The Australian government had announced that $6 million (US$3.9 million) would be provided to the UNRWA on Jan. 16 for urgent lifesaving assistance, including food, shelter, and emergency healthcare. However, this decision had been met with concerns about past links to Hamas by opposition home affairs spokesperson James Paterson.
Shadow foreign minister Simon Birmingham also urged Australia to pause funding for the UNRWA after news emerged that the U.S. was taking action.
An Israeli document shared with UNRWA and international officials details allegations against 12 UNRWA workers allegedly involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, with a number of them having ties to Hamas. The relief agency has responded by terminating the contracts of the staff members involved and launching an investigation to establish the truth “without delay.”
Foreign Minister Directs Humanitarian Coordinator to Coordinate with UNRWA
Ms. Wong noted Australia has made clear the allegations are “deeply concerning” but revealed she has directed Australia’s humanitarian coordinator to coordinate with the UNRWA and like-minded partners.
The U.S. has paused funding to the UNRWA while they review allegations and the “steps the United Nations is taking to address them.”
Ms. Thomas-Greenfield reiterated that the U.S. was “extremely troubled” by allegations that 12 UNRWA employees may have been involved in the attack on Oct. 7.
