Coalition urges redirection of UNRWA funding after Israel bans agency from operating
Summary: Australia's opposition Coalition is calling for funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to be redirected to other aid groups. This follows Israel's new laws that label UNRWA a terror organization and ban its operations in Israel.
Israel's parliament passed these laws, which will take effect in 90 days, after allegations linked some UNRWA staff to the October 7 Hamas attack. The Coalition argues that Australian taxpayer money should not support UNRWA amid these claims.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong opposed the legislation, stating that UNRWA provides essential aid. Australia, along with several other countries, has urged Israel not to implement these restrictions, emphasizing the need for humanitarian support in Gaza.
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