Australia declines to join statement criticising Israel for Unrwa demolition<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
The Albanese government has declined to sign up to an international statement expressing concern about Israel demolishing an aid agency\u2019s headquarters.<\/p>\n
The foreign ministers of 11 nations, including the UK, Canada and France, strongly condemned Israel for demolishing the East Jerusalem headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa) in a joint statement issued on 28 January.<\/p>\n
It called on Israel \u201cto fully abide by its obligations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in accordance with international law\u201d, saying current aid levels were inadequate.<\/p>\n
Canberra was invited to join the most recent declaration, but declined the offer without an explanation, one diplomatic source told AAP.<\/p>\n
Australia has consistently joined other like-minded nations, especially the UK, Canada and France, in issuing public rebukes to Israeli actions during its war in Gaza.<\/p>\n
The Israeli government began demolition work on the Unrwa Headquarters on 20 January.<\/p>\n
Israel has consistently called for the disbanding of Unrwa before it passed laws preventing it from operating on its territory after it accused workers of participating in the Hamas terrorist attack against it on 7 October 2023.<\/p>\n
\u2013 AAP<\/strong><\/p>\n