Australia, along with a group of allied countries, is deeply concerned by new Israeli legislation

that bans the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

In a statement, Foreign Minister Penny Wong stressed that UNRWA “does life-saving work”.

Details of Israeli legislation

On Monday, the Israeli parliament passed two bills that would repeal a treaty reached in

1967 that allowed UNRWA to operate in Israeli-controlled territory. The legislation passed

despite opposition from Israel’s Western allies, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

Calls for dialogue

“Australia opposes the decision by the Israeli Knesset to severely restrict UNRWA’s work,” Wong said, stressing the need to

enable essential services and humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Australia also called again on Israel to comply with binding orders from the International Court of Justice.

The situation in Gaza

Concerns have grown about the deteriorating situation in Gaza, where some two million Palestinians are suffering from the effects of the conflict between

Israel and Hamas. Independent observers have warned of famine and widespread disease threatening the population of the Strip.

Statements from Australian officials

“You have to ask Israel why it is not responding to the calls of its allies,” Cabinet Minister Bill Shorten told the ABC, noting that many of the suffering Palestinians are not members of Hamas.

He stressed the importance of providing food and aid to innocent civilians affected by the conflict.

UNRWA under fire

Following the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, UNRWA faced widespread criticism, with a number of its staff accused of being linked to the Islamist group. However, UNRWA denied the allegations, stressing that it does not represent any organization.

Shorten stressed the need for the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in convincing Israel of the need to protect and assist civilians, noting that “it is not their fault.”

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