Australia Urges Israel to Re-Think Ban on UN Aid Agency

Australia is urging Israel to reconsider its recent banning of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), saying its “life saving work” needs to continue, and accused it of ignoring the International Court of Justice. The vote in the Israeli Parliament passed 92-10 and followed a passionate debate between supporters of the law and its opponents, mostly members of Arab political parties. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong issued a joint statement with her counterparts from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the UK deploring the Knesset’s ban on UNRWA operating on Israeli soil after deeming it a terrorist organisation....