January 19, 2024
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has told Palestinian officials Australian aid must be used to deliver vital services to civilians, warning against allowing terror groups to access the funds.
Senator Wong met Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and she raised expectation a $21.5 million humanitarian package would be used to pay for health care and childhood education. "I expressed to them that it was extremely important, given the focus on this, that any funds Australia provides are used appropriately for the provision of the services that we are seeking to fund," she said in Jerusalem.
Shadow home affairs minister James Paterson said there were well-documented concerns about funding being siphoned off by Hamas.
He said it was "totally inadequate" the Government was relying on assurances from the Palestinian Authority which does not govern Gaza.
Senator Wong held talks with Palestinian communities, criticising West Bank settlements as inconsistent with the "pathway to a two-state solution".
