Australia is reviewing 66 military export permits previously approved for Israel, following the invasion of Gaza last year. The review, led by the Department of Defense, assesses each permit individually to ensure compliance with Australia’s international obligations, including human rights considerations.
The review follows an appeal from the Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) in April, which urged Defence Minister Richard Marles to revoke all current export permits to Israel and other countries that may transfer them onward. The Australian government maintains that no weapons or ammunition have been supplied to Israel since the recent escalation in Gaza.
Despite this, the federal government faces criticism for a lack of transparency over what each permit covers. Canberra has defended its supply of parts for the global supply chain of the F-35 fighter aircraft. Israel has deployed F-35 jets in Gaza, where the conflict has resulted in over 42,000 deaths since Hamas’ cross-border attack, leaving much of the region in ruins.
The Defense Ministry clarified that while Australia is not a major defence exporter to Israel, permits are required 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, of which 66 remain active.
The Greens, Australia’s third-largest political party, have called for an end to all military trade with Israel. The party’s defence spokesperson, David Shoebridge, urged the government to cease any actions that could “embolden Israel to continue the genocide.”
However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s administration has resisted the calls to sever contracts with Israeli companies that supply goods for the Australian Defense Force and police.
The ACIJ welcomed the review, crediting public and protest movement pressure for pushing the government to act. It called for a total arms embargo against Israel, including halting all imports, exports, and transfers.
In a statement on social media platform X, human rights defender Rawan Arraf criticized the government’s approach, accusing it of spreading misinformation about its arms export policies.