Dear PM Albanese and Senator Wong, 

URGENT

We are petitioning you in response to Australia’s announcement that it will be suspending all aid to UNRWA due to allegations of UN staff playing a role in the 7th October attack on Israel. 

UNRWA’s statement dated 28th January 2024 warns that their lifesaving aid for Gaza may end if countries, like Australia, suspend their funding. 85% of Gaza’s population is internally displaced and UNRWA estimates that they are providing shelter, food and healthcare services for over 1 million Palestinian civilians. 

It is morally reprehensible to suspend aid and sanction UNRWA and the entire civilian population of Gaza. This is collective punishment that effectively sentences them all to an earlier death by starvation, dehydration and inability to access lifesaving medical treatment. 

We are appalled that this is the stance Australia has chosen to take, particularly after the International Court of Justice announced that it is plausible that Israel is acting in violation of the Genocide Convention and ordered Israel to prevent all acts of genocide. 

We ask you to look to Ireland as an example of appropriately responding to the UNRWA allegations. Tánaiste Micheál Martin announced that he has “full confidence in Philippe Lazzarini’s, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, decision to immediately suspend UNRWA staff suspected of participation in the heinous attacks of October 7, to investigate thoroughly and show zero tolerance on terror. Ireland has no plans to suspend funding for UNRWA’s vital Gaza work.” 

We demand that funding to UNRWA be immediately and unconditionally  reinstated.

Healthcare workers in Australia have been outraged by Australia’s actions throughout this conflict and we watch in horror as Australia stands on the wrong side of history while tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians are tortured, killed and suffer from the consequences of inadequate humanitarian aid and a practically non-existent healthcare service. It is times like these when privileged countries like Australia should step up and support those in need, instead of contributing to the worsening of a humanitarian catastrophe. 

Choose the humanitarian path.  Reinstate aid now.