Palestinian official urges Australia to reverse decision to cut aid

Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi takes the Australian government to task for cutting aid to the PA over its payouts to the families of security prisoners and deceased attackers.

“Australia seems to have succumbed to the U.S. administration’s pressure in compounding the injustice of Israel’s military occupation by punishing its Palestinian victims,” Ashrawi, a member of the PLO Executive Committee, says in a statement.

“This unjustified and cruel move further targets the Palestinians who are already being held captive, while ignoring the persistent violations and war crimes being committed by the Israeli occupation.”

The statement insists that the Palestinians are committed to nonviolent resistance, and urges Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to reverse the decision.

“We strongly urge the government of Australia to reconsider its decision and not embolden Israel in its unilateral and illegal policies,” Ashrawi says. “Bringing Israel to compliance with international law and international humanitarian law would be the most constructive action for governments interested in peace and justice.”