We need to debate this motion to restore UNRWA’s funding by this government, because there are people in Palestine who are suffering. They are fighting for their survival. Make no mistake, people will not forgive and forget this suspension of funding. People will not forgive and forget the murder of 30,000 Palestinians.
Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (12:01): I seek leave to move a motion relating to funding for UNRWA, as circulated.
Leave not granted.
Senator FARUQI: At the request of Senator Waters, and pursuant to the contingent notice of motion standing in her name, I move:
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent Senator Waters moving a motion to provide for the consideration of a matter, namely a motion to give precedence to a motion relating to funding for the UNRWA.
As if Labor’s aiding and abetting and full-throated support for Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza was not enough, just when one thought the Labor government’s disaster of a foreign policy couldn’t get any worse, you suspend life-saving aid to UNRWA. That, too, was without a shred of evidence, as we found out through my questioning of Minister Wong. Your hypocrisy knows no bounds. You did not hesitate to collectively punish millions of Palestinians by freezing the life-saving aid to UNRWA without any basis for Israel’s claims. But there’s not even a slap on the wrist of Israel. In fact, there’s unquestioning support for Israel to commit the crime of all crimes: genocide.
On one hand, Minister Wong admits that UNRWA does life-saving work, and then, on the other hand, she halts funding. No-one is being fooled by your doublespeak. The anger, frustration and sense of betrayal in the community is palpable, and rightly so.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Faruqi, I remind you that it’s a motion to suspend standing orders, so your comments need to relate to why a suspension needs to be supported.
Senator FARUQI: For more than two weeks, people have been outside the PM’s office in Sydney for an around-the-clock peaceful sit-in, calling on the Prime Minister to urgently restore UNRWA’s aid. That’s 24 hours every day for 16 days now. But the Prime Minister has been a no-show. At a bare minimum, Prime Minister Albanese should have the decency to front up to his own constituents, hear people’s concerns about the cutting of UNRWA’s funding—
The PRESIDENT: Senator Faruqi, I have reminded you: it’s a motion to suspend standing orders, and you need to be referring your comments to why there needs to be a suspension.
Senator FARUQI: We need to debate this motion to restore UNRWA’s funding by this government, because there are people in Palestine who are suffering. They are fighting for their survival. Make no mistake, people will not forgive and forget this suspension of funding. People will not forgive and forget the murder of 30,000 Palestinians. There is catastrophic famine, hunger, starvation and disease looming large in Gaza, yet it has been 31 days since you suspended funding to UNRWA, which is the largest relief agency in Gaza. We will not forget and we will not forgive the suffering of children because of this suspension of aid.
Is the minister aware of the acronym WCNSF: ‘wounded child, no surviving family’? Some of these children are babies, toddlers who don’t yet speak. No-one knows their names and no-one ever will. Some of these children cannot speak anymore due to what they have witnessed, and they are being denied even the aid that was going to them so that they can live. How will these people go on without aid? Do they not need help? Do they not need aid? Do you not see them as humans?
Labor thinks that falsely accusing us Greens of causing division over and over will somehow make this lie true. But we are holding you to account for your role in supporting Israel’s genocide and cutting aid, your role in the occupation and oppression of Palestinians. Don’t you dare try and divert attention from these dire needs by your inexcusable moral bankruptcy and utter hypocrisy. And, while I’m at it, if you’re not going to show up for the community now, don’t you dare show up for photoshoots at our iftars next month. It is beyond inhumane to suspend aid at any time, but you have done so at the worst possible time for Palestinians—when they are being butchered, indiscriminately massacred, starved and forcibly displaced under the guise of self-defence by the belligerent, bloodthirsty State of Israel.
Last week, UNRWA chief Mr Philippe Lazzarini wrote to the UN General Assembly, saying:
It is with profound regret that I must now inform you that the Agency has reached breaking point, with Israel’s repeated calls to dismantle UNRWA and the freezing of funding by donors at a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs in Gaza.
How much more often do you need to hear about the absolutely drastic need to restore this funding? Labor is facilitating Israel’s long-term mission to disband UNRWA. It seems now the State of Israel dictates not only our foreign policy in the Middle East but also our aid policy. Shame on you! Restore UNRWA funding and rapidly increase it. After all your wrongs and all your screw-ups, it is the least you can do.