Australia has voted for a ceasefire in Gaza and to support a Palestinian aid agency Israel is moving to dismantle.
The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to support a permanent and unconditional ceasefire, the release of hostages, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians at an emergency session on Thursday.
The motion passed with 158 members voting in support and nine against, with 13 abstaining.
The humanitarian crisis was a key factor in Australia’s vote, with more than 44,000 people killed in Gaza, including more than 13,000 children.
Nearly all of the strip’s 2.1 million people have lost their homes and don’t have enough food, water or medical supplies.
Australia also voted to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in a second motion that passed with 159 in support, nine against and 11 abstaining.
The motion called for the Israeli Knesset to reverse laws banning the agency from operating in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which include Gaza and the West Bank.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has repeatedly stated the agency was the only one with the capability to distribute aid and assistance at the scale needed in Gaza.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN said the agency had been infiltrated by Hamas – something it denies – and accused the general assembly of ignoring the hostages taken by the terrorist organisation on October 7.
https://thewest.com.au/politics/australia-backs-gaza-ceasefire-supports-palestine-aid-c-17057097
