MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE 15 March 2024
- Some welcome relief for two million people in Gaza as Australian Government restores lifesaving aid
- Massive public pressure has greatly contributed to the Government’s decision following Open Letters and history making 22 consecutive weeks of tens of thousands marching in capital cities for the people of Gaza
- Australia must pressure for immediate and permanent ceasefire to stop the genocide and end occupation
The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) welcomes the decision of the Australian government to restore financial aid to the UN Refugee Working Agency (UNRWA), the body responsible for funding the essential day to day needs of a significant proportion of the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank as well as refugees in Lebanon and Jordan.
“This reversal of its decision in January to suspend the funds will now mean the Australian government can contribute to reducing starvation and assist with the provision of health care and education for the people of Gaza”, stated Ms Kathryn Kelly, IPAN Spokesperson
“But to make a difference to the mainly children, elderly people, the sick, wounded and dying who were so affected by the decision of Australia and other Governments around the world who also suspended UNRA funding, much more aid needs to be allowed to enter Gaza by Israel”, stated Ms Kelly.
“There has been massive public pressure on the Australian Government, to restore the vitally needed aid to Gaza, which has no doubt contributed to the Government’s decision”, said Ms Kelly.
In late February, IPAN, who represents 50 organisational members and thousands of supporters, published an impassioned Open Letter to the Prime Minister urging the Australian Government to reverse its decision to freeze funding to the UN aid agency for Palestinians.
All the while, since October, we have seen across Australia a history making 22 consecutive weeks of rallies and marches of tens of thousands of people throughout our capital cities, for the people of Gaza calling for a ceasefire, provision of food and medical supplies and freedom for Palestinians.
In addition, this week, The Guardian/Essential polling revealed that all up, 57 per cent of the Australian public oppose the Israeli military action in Gaza; 37 per cent want a permanent withdrawal and 20 per cent want a ceasefire, while only 18 per cent support Israel’s military action in Gaza. This means Australians favour a cessation of IDF hostilities by a 3 to 1 margin.[i]
“IPAN is very pleased that the Australian Government’s position has now aligned itself with the voices of the Australian people to restore the much-needed aid but now we urge it to pressure for immediate and permanent ceasefire to stop the genocide and end the Israeli occupation of Palestine”, stated Ms Kelly
“IPAN hopes that the action of Australia following on from similar moves by Canada, Sweden and the European Union will set an example for the USA to also follow suit and reinstate their vital aid to the UNRWA”, said Ms Kelly.
For Media Interviews: Kathryn Kelly 0417 269 984
Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow 0403 611 815
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 and has been working on that issue at various intensities since that time. Kathryn was a member of the IPAN National Coordinating Committee as an ACT rep, serving from 2013-2023. Kathryn was also a founding co-convenor of the Alliance Against Political Prosecutors until recently, advocating for the truth tellers/whistleblowers – Bernard Collaery, Witness K, Julian Assange, David McBride and Richard Boyle.