Australia condemned for axing aid to Palestinian Authority

The Australian government’s July 3 announcement that it had axed its contributions to the Palestinian Authority (PA) through the World Bank’s Multi-Donor Trust Fund for the Palestinian Recovery and Development Program has been condemned by Palestinian activists.

The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network said in a statement: “The Australian government has given in to the extremist elements of its party — the same people who want to move the Australian Embassy to Jerusalem.

“To summarily axe funding to the PA without any evidence of misuse of funds is draconian and shows whose side the government is on. The government talks of supporting a two-state solution yet undermines Palestinian rights at every turn.”

In announcing the decision, foreign minister Julie Bishop said that while she was “confident that previous Australian funding to the PA through the World Bank has been used as intended” her government had decided to axe the funding because it was “concerned” the PA may have the “opportunity” to assist Palestinians “convicted of politically motivated violence”.

Read the article by Peter Boyle in Green Left Weekly.