Australia’s Government has opposed Israel’s ban on UNRWA

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Israel has banned the UN agency responsible for providing aid to Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, and has classified it a terror group.
Israel has banned UNRWA.

The Australian Government has opposed Israel’s ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

World leaders have warned the ban could impact the flow of aid into Gaza, as UNRWA relies on coordinating with Israel to deliver relief across Israeli-controlled borders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable”.

Here’s the latest.

Background

On 7 October, Hamas launched an attack on Israel. According to data cited by the UN, roughly 1,200 people were killed. Hamas, which Australia lists as a terrorist organisation, captured about 240 hostages. Around 100 people remain captive today.

Israel responded by declaring war and bombarding Gaza. More than 42,700 Palestinians have been killed, according to UN-quoted data.

Israel’s war in Gaza has caused a humanitarian crisis. More than 1.9 million people are displaced – making up most of Gaza’s population.

UNRWA

UNRWA provides healthcare, education, shelter and funding to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East.

It employs roughly 13,000 people in Gaza, 233 of whom have been killed during the conflict.

Earlier this year, Israel claimed UNRWA staff had been involved in Hamas’ attacks on October 7, citing “strong and corroborated intelligence” it gathered after the attack.

A UN investigation found nine staff members, who have since been dismissed, “may have been involved in the 7 October Hamas-led attacks against Israel”.

Several countries, including Australia, temporarily paused funding to UNRWA while the probe took place.

Official ban

Today, Israel‘s parliament passed a set of laws that will ban UNRWA from operating in Israel and designate it as a terrorist organisation.

The ban will come into effect within 90 days.

After the law passed, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would work with “international partners” to “ensure Israel continues to facilitate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not threaten Israel’s security“.

UN response

UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said the ban would “deepen the suffering of Palestinians”.

UN’s Secretary-General António Guterres said the laws will have “devastating consequences” for aid delivery into Gaza, saying “there is no alternative to UNRWA”.

Earlier this week, Guterres warned Israel’s operation in Northern Gaza had made “the conditions of life untenable for the Palestinian population”. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in the north over the past month.

Global reaction

Australia is among several countries – including the UK, France, and Germany – who have urged Israel not to ban UNRWA.

After the legislation passed, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “Australia opposes the Israeli Knesset’s decision to severely restrict UNRWA’s work.”

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the White House was “deeply concerned” by the laws.

Ceasefire talks

Meanwhile, Egypt has revived efforts to negotiate a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said he put forward a plan for a two-day ceasefire, to facilitate the release of four Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

After the temporary ceasefire, he said talks should resume within 10 days to reach a more permanent peace deal.

In a statement, Netanyahu welcomed Egypt’s “readiness to advance a deal for the release of hostages.”

He also confirmed a senior official with the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, was in Qatar where negotiators are holding talks.

U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has visited the Middle East, including Qatar, multiple times in recent weeks as part of American efforts to encourage progress on ceasefire talks.

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