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Australia’s arms export comes under scrutiny. Is Canberra ‘complicit’ in Israel-Gaza war?
- Critics say Canberra’s actions contradict its legal obligations under international law, while advocacy groups say such exports could implicate Australia
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Su-Lin Tanin Singapore
Australia’s export of weapons to Israel amid the Israel-Gaza war has sparked controversy, with recent senate hearings confirming Canberra has issued new permits for military equipment exports to Israel since the start of the crisis.
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There are also existing permits that allowed Australian manufacturers to supply weapons parts for the manufacture of F-35 jets. Israel has used F-35 jets in its Gaza offensive.
Critics said Canberra’s actions could contradict its legal obligations under international humanitarian law, which prohibit arms transfers that could be used to commit human rights violations, while advocacy groups argue these exports could implicate Australia in Israel’s war crimes.
“As you know, Israel is currently being investigated for alleged genocide … and is accused by the United Nations and multiple human rights organisations of serious war crimes. Australia is now being accused of complicity,” Andrew Bartlett, president of the Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR) advocacy group, wrote in an open letter to Canberra this week.
For months, researchers, humanitarian groups, war protesters and Australia’s third-largest political party, the Australian Greens, have sought clarity over Australia’s exports of weapons and parts to Israel.
Australian defence officials said in senate hearings on June 5 and 6, they had granted eight new permits to export military equipment to Israel since the war began, although they said they were for Australian defence items that required repair by Israel manufacturers.
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