Australia pauses funding for United Nations agency amid October 7 terror allegations
Australia has paused funding for a key United Nations agency in Gaza after allegations emerged some of its staff were involved in the October 7 terror attacks in Israel.
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Australia has paused funding for a key United Nations agency in Gaza after allegations emerged some staff were involved in the October 7 attacks.
On Friday, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini revealed Israeli authorities had provided information about the alleged involvement of “several” employees in the attack.
“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,” he said.
“These shocking allegations come as more than 2 million people in Gaza depend on lifesaving assistance that the Agency has been providing since the war began. Anyone who betrays the fundamental values of the United Nations also betrays those whom we serve in Gaza.”
On Saturday, Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong, released a statement saying the allegations were “deeply concerning” and funding for the agency would be “temporarily paused”.
“We welcome UNRWA’s immediate response, including terminating contracts and launching an investigation, as well as its recent announcement of a full investigation into allegations against the organisation,” she said.
“Australia will engage closely with UNRWA on investigations and is consulting with international partners. While we do this, we will temporarily pause disbursement of recently announced funding.
“Australia will continue to support the people of Gaza and work to provide humanitarian assistance. We reiterate our calls for civilians to be protected, and for humanitarian access.”
Last week, Senator Wong announced an additional $21.5 million funding for humanitarian assistance, including $6 million for the UNRWA to provide “urgent lifesaving assistance including food, shelter and emergency health care.”
The move follows a funding pause by the United States’ until the allegations are addressed.
Throughout the Israel-Gaza war there have been allegations that Hamas was using UNRWA facilities for military purposes.
Last week, Mr Lazzarini defended the organisation but announced an independent investigation would be held.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin described the allegations as “utterly shocking”.
“We welcome the Government’s announcement and hope the suspension of funding is made permanent in time,” he said.
“We have for many years called for its defunding due to corruption, links with terrorism, and antisemitic education … We are a country that fights terror but if we continue to support UNRWA we will be funding it.”
The UNRWA was established in 1949 following the first Arab-Israeli war to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Originally published as Australia pauses funding for United Nations agency amid October 7 terror allegations
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