Allegra Spender ‘uninvited’ from Jewish event over UNRWA split

Teal MP Allegra Spender has had her invitation to speak at a Jewish charity event cancelled, after she pushed for funding to be restored to UNRWA.

Allegra Spender’s electorate, Wentworth, has the largest proportion of Jewish constituents in the country. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Teal MP Allegra Spender has had her invitation to speak at a Jewish charity event cancelled, after she pushed for funding to be restored to the UN agency in Gaza despite its links to Hamas. 

Ms Spender had been scheduled to speak at the 25th anniversary of Jewish non-profit B’nai B’rith’s Courage to Care initiative next week, with the community organisation telling supporters that a “mutual agreement” had been reached that she would withdraw.

Courage to Care NSW cites Ms Spender’s decision to sign a joint letter with fellow Teal MPs calling on Foreign Minister Penny Wong to explore other means of directing aid to Gaza be found or else funding to the UN ­Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees be restored.

“In light of recent events, it has been mutually agreed that it would be in the best interests of our organisation and the event if she was to withdraw,” Courage to Care said in a letter to attendees.

“The recent event we refer to was a letter to Foreign Minister Penny Wong MP signed by Teal and independent MPs, including Ms Spender, which requested that a means of funding humanitarian aid to Gazans be found, including potentially UNRWA.”

The letter said Ms Spender’s presence would be “distracting from the important achievements and mission of Courage to Care NSW”.

Ms Spender, whose electorate of Wentworth has the largest proportion of Jewish constituents in the country, said no one wanted to see “desperate civilians left without food, water and medical support” and she had signed the letter to ensure that humanitarian aid reached those in need.

Wentworth MP Allegra Spender has affirmed her support for the Jewish community. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“The allegations against some UNRWA staff are very serious, but humanitarian aid is critical right now, and we need to find options for delivery of aid, either through other organisations if they have the infrastructure, or through UNRWA under clear conditions,” she said.

“Given strong feelings by some in the community about UNRWA, Courage for Care and I agreed that my presence would be distracting and I do not want this issue to distract from the vital fundraising efforts of Courage to Care.”

Ms Spender added she would continue to “stand up for the Jewish community” and was advocating for greater protection from anti-Semitism on university campuses.

The letter to Senator Wong called for an alternative to deliver aid be found or “the government provides immediate clear directions as to what actions UNRWA can feasibly take in order that funding can be restored before we bear witness to a humanitarian collapse in Gaza”.

It was also signed by Teal MPs Zoe Daniel, Kate Chaney, Monique Ryan, Zali Steggall, Sophie Scamps and Kylea Tink, as well as independent MPs Andrew Wilkie and Helen Haines.

Israel has accused UNRWA of employing militants who took part in Hamas’ attack on October 7 and alleged it has found Hamas’ communications centre and intelligence hub under the agency’s Gaza headquarters.