Wong speaks with UNRWA as reports emerge questioning Israel's claims its staff are involved with Hamas

Penny Wong says she has spoken with UNRWA in recent days.  (ABC News: Ian Cutmore )

Australia’s foreign minister says she has spoken with the United Nations aid agency in Gaza as new reports emerge questioning Israel’s claims that its staff were involved in the October 7 terrorist attacks.

Australia was one of a group of countries to suspend aid to UNRWA after Israel presented evidence to the UN that 12 of the Palestinian refugee agency’s workers had links to Hamas or were involved in the attacks in southern Israel.

The agency responded to Israel’s allegations by terminating the contracts of some staff members, as well as launching an internal investigation.

British news outlet Channel 4 claims to have seen the the dossier that Israel provided to the UN. The media outlet reported that it contained “no evidence” to back up the claims.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong was questioned whether she was aware of the report but did not directly answer.

However, she told reporters on Thursday she had spoken with UNRWA’s commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini on Wednesday.

“We recognise the importance of that organisation,” she said.

“I spoke with him about the various inquiries and investigations they are doing.

“We spoke about ensuring that donors such as Australia can have the confidence to ensure that the pause is lifted because this is important for the people of Gaza and the people of the Occupied Palestinian Territories more broadly.”

Peter Wertheim, co-chief executive officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, this week told the ABC he hadn’t seen the dossier but concerns with UNRWA extended to before the October 7 terror attacks.

UNRWA has warned in recent days that its “whole operation” will collapse unless countries including Australia reinstate funding.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres last month issued a direct plea to Australia and the other countries that had paused funding.

“While I understand their concerns – I was myself horrified by these accusations — I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s operations,” he said.

“Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.

“The tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalised. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.”

The agency is a critical source of support for people in Gaza and provides education, health and aid services.

Greens say government ‘extremely irresponsible’ to pause funding

The Australian government allocated $20 million in aid money to UNRWA in the 2023-24 budget.

While touring the Middle East earlier this year, Senator Wong committed an additional $6 million to the agency.

Within weeks, that extra funding was paused after Israel alleged the agency’s staff were involved in the October attacks.

Greens deputy leader Mahreen Faruqi described the government’s decision to suspend the funding as “appalling” and “extremely irresponsible”, and questioned Senator Wong on what evidence she saw before she made the decision.

“UNRWA chief, Mr Philippe Lazzarini, has said that Israel has yet to present any evidence of its allegations to UNRWA,” Senator Faruqi said in parliament earlier this week.

“Four months of Israel’s genocide, with more than 27,000 Palestinians killed, including over 11,000 children, and you haven’t uttered a word of condemnation.

“Yet, it took you no time at all to suspend lifesaving funding to UNRWA.”

In response, Senator Wong said there was “so much in that question which is false”.

“There are two facts we can not ignore: the first is they do life-saving work,” she said.

“The second point is the recent allegations against its staff are grave and need to be investigated.”

The opposition has said UNRWA is not the “right place” for aid funding for Gaza.