Australia reviews military export permits to Israel: Report

CANBERRA — Australia is conducting a review of all 66 military export permits for Israel that were approved prior to the invasion of Gaza last year, as reported by the Guardian on Saturday, citing Defense Ministry sources.

The Department of Defense is assessing the licenses on a case-by-case basis, ensuring compliance with Australia’s international obligations, particularly regarding human rights. An unnamed defense spokesperson stated, “As circumstances in the Middle East evolve, Australia continues to scrutinize pre-existing export permits to Israel to ensure they align with our calibrated approach.”

This review follows an application from the Australian Centre for International Justice to Defense Minister Richard Marles in April, which called for the annulment of all current export permits to Tel Aviv and to other countries that might later transfer them to Israel.

Canberra has reiterated that it has not supplied weapons or ammunition to Israel since the outbreak of the conflict and maintains that stance. However, the federal government has faced criticism for a lack of transparency regarding the specifics of each permit.

Australia has also defended its supply of parts for the global supply chain for the F-35 fighter aircraft, which Israel has used in Gaza, where over 42,000 people have died since the Hamas cross-border incursion, leading to widespread destruction in the enclave.

According to the Defense Ministry, Australia is not a major defense exporter to Israel, but permits are necessary for various items, including IT equipment, software, radios, electronic components, and dual-use goods. Since 2019, Australia has issued approximately 247 permits related to Israel, with about 66 currently active.

The Greens, Australia’s third-largest political party, have called for an end to all military trade with Israel. David Shoebridge, the party’s defense spokesperson, emphasized that Australia must not do anything to “embolden Israel to continue the genocide.”

Despite this, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government has resisted calls to terminate contracts with Israeli companies that supply goods for use by the Australian Defense Force and police.

The Australian Centre for International Justice welcomed the review, stating that it is the result of sustained pressure from the protest movement and the public to halt exports to what they describe as a “rogue” state.

The center noted, “For the past 12 months, the Australian government has been put on notice from the ICJ, the ICC, UN bodies, and countless international organizations about Israel’s long catalog of violations of international law. We’re calling for a full arms embargo, no imports, no exports, no transfers.”

Human rights defender Rawan Arraf criticized the delay in the review, stating, “There is no excuse for the long delay in reviewing current arms exports. The review must also include scrutiny of exports that are ending up in Israel.” — Agencies