Australia has joined several other western nations in restoring funding to the United Nations Agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. Funding was frozen after allegations some UNRWA staff were linked to the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says it follows new security and legal advice that the agency is not a terrorist organisation.
Ms Wong has announced the government will unfreeze six million dollars in emergency funding for primary aid agency UNRWA after it was paused when Israel alleged 12 staff were involved in the October 7 attacks.Some nations including Ireland and Spain have continued financial support, but Australia was one of more than a dozen countries to suspend funding to the UN agency.
"We do not support the Albanese government in acting without and ahead of the United States in terms of decisions around this funding. Ultimately, Australia deciding through means that lack any transparency to reinstate funding as Penny Wong and the Albanese government has announced. Runs the risk that Australian dollars could be misused in the future."
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Australia restores funding to Palestinian relief agency after pause over alleged terror linksThe Australian federal government will resume funding to the UN's chief relief agency in Gaza, UNRWA, after a two-month pause over allegations of the body's links with Hamas.
Read more »
Israel Hamas: Coalition caution on Australia resuming UNRWA fundingAs other countries resume funding, the Coalition is urging a cautious approach before lifting a freeze on $6m for key Palestinian refugee agency.
Read more »
Australia reinstates funding to Unrwa to provide aid in GazaFriday’s decision to ‘unpause’ $6m in funding to Unrwa follows similar moves by Canada and Sweden
Read more »
Australia resumes UN Gaza funding after checks into claims agency workers helped attack Israel7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Australia to Resume Funding to UN Aid Agency for PalestiniansAustralia announces the resumption of funding to UNRWA after freezing it due to alleged links between workers and a terror attack by Hamas. UNRWA faced the risk of collapse, leaving Palestinians without essential aid.
Read more »
Australia withholds funding to UN agency pending investigationThe 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.
Read more »