The Age & Sydney Morning Herald | Matthew Knott | 12 March 2024
Cowards – aid for innocent children should not be withheld because our politicians are being bullied by the Israeli Government and their lies – Mark
The Albanese government says it will not reinstate funding to the UN’s main provider of humanitarian aid in the Palestinian territories until an investigation into the agency is complete as it prepares for a backlash from the Israeli government and its local advocates.
Sweden and Canada announced in recent days they would resume funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, prompting calls from pro-Palestinian advocates for Australia to quickly follow suit and unlock $6 million in suspended aid.
Australia and more than a dozen other countries paused funding to UNRWA in January following allegations some of its staff had been involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel, but Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has made clear the government wants to resume funding to the agency as no other organisation can fulfil its responsibilities.
‘‘Australia cannot be involved in funding organisations that have members involved in terrorist activities,’’ Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite told Sky News yesterday. ‘‘So there’s an investigation going on into that and we’ll make a decision once that investigation is completed.’’
The UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services has delivered an update on its probe into the allegations to UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, but it is still gathering information. A separate review into UNRWA for the UN, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, is expected to submit an interim report at the end of March.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was tight-lipped yesterday when asked if the government would restart funding UNRWA, telling ABC Radio: ‘‘We are taking advice on what further support we can give.
‘‘But we understand that part of the problem is getting access into Gaza and we consistently have called for that access to be given and we’re working with like-minded countries to make sure that can occur.’’
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