'You just hold your breath in that part of the world': UNRWA donation criticised

Curtin University Global Futures Dean Joe Siracusa says Foreign Minister Penny Wong is “in a tight spot” after donating an extra $21.5 million to UNRWA despite well-documented allegations their funds are siphoned by Hamas. “When you give money in that part of the world, you just kind of have to hold your breath and maybe hold your nose at the same time,” Mr Siracusa told Sky News Australia host Ortenzia Borre. "If you want to give money, you can give money but you have no idea where it is going." The Global Futures Dean used the billions of dollars Obama and Biden “turned over to Iran” as an example of how money could be handled. “You know where all that money is – that money has been given to Hamas and Hezbollah. “Palestinian authorities have their own reputation for embezzlement so it is not a safe investment.”