IPAN Patrons: Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe & Kellie Tranter
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 31 October 2024
- Senator Wong makes right call to oppose Israeli Knesset’s decision severely restricting UNRWA work
- But Senator Wong must also condemn the Israeli Knesset’s vote to declare UNRWA a terror group
- A stronger diplomatic stance is still needed: Australia should cut diplomatic ties with Israel
- Sanctions must be applied and Israel’s ambassador should be expelled
- Australia must decisively end all bilateral military-technology trade with Israel
The recent passing of laws by Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, banning UNRWA from operating on Israeli soil and the vote to declare UNRWA a terror group must be condemned.
“IPAN supports the statement by Senator Penny Wong that ‘Australia opposes the Israeli Knesset’s decision to severely restrict UNRWA’s work’, but IPAN calls on the senator to publicly condemn the Israeli Knesset’s vote to declare UNRWA a terror group”, stated Ms Kathryn Kelly spokesperson for the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN).
“Israel’s behaviour contravenes international law and cannot be tolerated. Australia must take stronger steps“, stated Ms Kelly.
“Israel must therefore be isolated and hit with economic sanctions, their ambassador expelled and all ties with them severed – including Australia ending all bilateral military-technology trade with Israel”, said Ms Kelly.
IPAN also calls on the Australian Government to urge the USA to take similar strong action.
Hiba Farra, an advocate for the Palestine cause, with a legal background and a presenter at the recent IPAN Conference in Perth has stated the following:
“Israel has been for decades trying tirelessly to delegitimise the UN. There is no alternative to UNRWA for the Palestinian people. All these actions by Israel are serving one agenda, to push the Palestinians once again out of their land. This act at a time of genocide should be faced with actions, not just words. It’s time that Australia sanctions Israel.”
The already inadequate aid distribution could collapse completely when the laws take effect in 90 days – “but we are at a point in time when the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is already at a catastrophic point”, stated Ms Kelly.
UNRWA’s lifesaving work must be allowed to continue – with estimates of 650,000 girls and boys who will be denied food, healthcare and an education, putting at risk an entire generation of children, if the aid cannot continue.
IPAN is also dismayed by the remarks by opposition leader Peter Dutton calling for UNRWA funding to be diverted to other aid groups. This completely ignores the immoral and illegal behaviour of Israel, and could be seen by them as effectively giving a green light to Israel’s behaviour, stated Ms Kelly.
Media Interviews: Hiba Farra (WA) 0424 410 313 and Kathryn Kelly (ACT) 0417 269 984
Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow (NT) 0403 611 815
Bio: Hiba Farra is an advocate for the Palestinian cause with a legal background. Hiba was a presenter at the recent bi-ennial national conference of the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN), held in Perth from 4-6 October.
Bio: Kathryn Kelly is a former federal public servant who worked largely in the environment and Aboriginal affairs portfolios. She visited Gaza and the West Bank in 2002 and 2003 and then founded the ‘Australians for Justice and Peace in Palestine’ organisation in Canberra in 2003. Kathryn was a member of the IPAN National Coordinating Committee as an ACT rep, (2013-2023). Kathryn was also a founding co-convenor of the Alliance Against Political Prosecutors until recently, advocating for the truth tellers/whistleblowers.
