Coalition critical of resuming UNRWA donations as US continue to withhold funds

Extra aid will be sent to Gaza as Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong lifts a funding freeze on the main UN relief agency UNRWA. Australia has moved ahead of key ally the United States, leading the Coalition to oppose the move. “UNRWA is not a terrorist organisation,” Ms Wong declared during a media conference on Friday. Ms Wong assured Australians of safeguards implemented to ensure taxpayer-funded relief was used appropriately despite allegations 12 UNRWA staffers were involved in the October 7 terrorist attacks. Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham warned stepping away from the United States is a failure in regard to our ability to utilise international leverage alongside our allies.