Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong Provides Another $21.5 Million to Gaza

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on Jan. 1, 2024. Amir Cohen/Reuters

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced another $21.5 million ($US14.1 million) for Palestinian civilians in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

However, Opposition Home Affairs spokesman James Paterson has raised concerns about some of the funding allocated to a United Nations agency, which has in the past been linked to Hamas.

The funding is being delivered during Ms. Wong’s trip to the Middle East, which includes diplomatic talks in Israel on the war.

“Australia is gravely concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza,” Ms. Wong said.

“There has been access in recent days but nowhere near enough. Humanitarian pauses are essential to ensure this assistance and that of our partners flows into Gaza.

“The way Israel exercises its right to defend itself matters. It matters to civilians throughout the region, and it matters to Israel’s ongoing security.”

A total of $6 million will go to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), $4 million to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and $11.5 million for refugee programs in Lebanon and Jordan.

Mr. Paterson raised concerns about UNRWA’s past associations with organisations like Hamas and instances of “anti-Semitic content” in schools run by the agency.

“UNRWA is a United Nations agency which operates in Gaza and the West Bank and it has in the past been implicated with funding, inadvertently, organisations like Hamas,” he said in quotes cited by the Australian.

Mr. Paterson sought assurance from the government that taxpayer dollars would not end up in the hands of Hamas.

“UNRWA is an organisation which we cannot be assured Australian taxpayers money is well spent and I do want the government to be able to reassure Australians that taxpayers money won’t end up finding its way to Hamas because they funded UNRWA,” he said.

However, speaking from Jordan, Ms. Wong said the funding will be “directed to conflict-infected populations in the occupied Palestinian territories” and address the “protracted refugee crisis,” with a focus on women and children.

“I’ve spoken this morning with the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Sigrid Kaag, and I have also visited a health clinic run by UNRWA,” Ms. Wong said.

“I think those here in Jordan understand the importance of this organisation, the only organisation with a mandate to provide relief and social services to Palestinian refugees in the Middle East.

“They do critical work and there are millions, 1.4 million people in Gaza currently seeking shelter in those facilities.”

Penny Wong Visits Israel

During her visit to Israel, Ms. Wong met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Minister for Foreign Affairs Israel Katz.

She reiterated Australia’s support for the people of Israel and condemned the terrorist attacks.

However, while Ms. Wong noted Israel’s right to defend itself, she noted the way it does this is significant.

“In my meetings with Isaac Herzog and Israel Katz I reaffirmed Australia’s solidarity with the Israeli people following the atrocities of October 7,” Ms. Wong said. 

“We unequivocally condemn the terrorist acts of Hamas and recognise Israel’s right to defend itself, but how it does so matters.”

Ms. Wong also held meetings with the families of Israeli hostages captured during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 civilians.

In a post to X, the Foreign Minister explained she was “deeply moved” by her meetings with the families of the hostages.

“I greatly admire the strength they continue to show,” Ms. Wong said.

Shadow Foreign Minister Visited Israel in December

Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham also travelled to Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, in December.

During his trip, Mr. Birmingham met with government officials and inspected the sites of the Hamas attacks on Israel.

“Our actions by visiting here have been very warmly welcomed,” he said at the time.

“It’s clear that the Israeli people are appreciative of having Australian parliamentarians here, that they have welcomed the fact that we have been clear in our support for Israel and its inherent right to self-defence, and the need for the removal of Hamas as a terrorist threat.