Jewish groups bristle over ongoing UNRWA budget funding

Jewish groups have condemned Labor’s decision to keep giving funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

UNRWA commissioner Philippe Lazzarini at the United Nations offices in Geneva. Picture: AFP

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Jewish groups have condemned Labor’s decision to keep giving federal funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, saying it is inappropriate given the body has had links with terrorism in the past.

While there were some tweaks to Australia’s aid budget on Tuesday – such as the redirection of $100m into the Indo-­Pacific following the reduction of aid to the region from the Trump administration – the $20m in funding for UNRWA was unchanged.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said “not one dollar collected from the Australian taxpayer should be going to UNRWA”.

“The organisation is compromised, its employees participated in the atrocities of October 7 and its very existence is intended to keep generation upon generation of Palestinians in the dangerous lie that they are refugees from Israel and will one day conquer it,” he said.

“Australian aid must always align with our peaceful and democratic values, and UNRWA is an instrument of conflict and dictatorship. If our government wishes to direct our money towards the reconstruction of Gaza, it should do so through peaceful, reputable ­organisations.”

The Middle East conflict is likely to be a key feature of the upcoming election, with tensions high within the Jewish community in marginal seats such as Macnamara and Goldstein and the Muslim communities in western Sydney.

Labor has sought to unequivocally condemn the actions of Hamas while calling for a peaceful resolution.

A spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Australian governments had since 1951 funded UNRWA. “This budget is no different, including the ongoing contribution to core funding,” she said.

“Funding will only be disbursed, for 2024-25 and in future years, if UNRWA meets our stringent controls and safeguards, ensuring Australian funds are used only for humanitarian purposes and in compliance with Australian law. Australia will continue to push for the flow of aid to those who need it most.”

The Zionist Federation of Australia called on the government to reconsider the baking in of UNRWA funding in Tuesday’s budget.

“UNRWA’s culture is corrupt and has been proven to be supportive of terrorism and we have been calling for a suspension of their funding since it became clear some of their employees were directly involved in the atrocities of October 7,” ZFA president Jeremy Leibler said.

“Australian taxpayer dollars should not be funding terrorism and everyone who wants a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians must hold UNRWA accountable.” Labor faced a backlash when it paused funding to UNRWA last year.