Australia is conducting a review of all 66 defense-related export permits for "Israel" that were granted before the outbreak of the war on Gaza.

This review mirrors the recent reassessment of arms licenses to "Israel" by the UK government, with results expected to be announced "in the coming months," as per Guardian Australia.

Sources indicate that the Department of Defense is evaluating each permit individually, taking into account how they align with Australia’s international obligations, particularly regarding human rights.

A spokesperson for the Defense Department confirmed that the review is ongoing: “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.”

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The federal government has repeatedly asserted that Australia "has not supplied weapons or ammunition to Israel since the conflict began and for at least the past five years," maintaining this stance.

However, the government has faced criticism for a lack of transparency regarding the specifics of each permit. It has also defended Australia’s provision of parts for the global supply chain of the F-35 fighter aircraft, which "Israel" has utilized in Gaza.

An export permit is required for any goods listed under Australia’s Defense and Strategic Goods List.

Defense officials informed Senate estimates in June that 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.

Why it matters

Officials have reported that Australia has issued approximately 247 export permits related to "Israel" since 2019, with around 66 of those currently deemed “active.”

Following these statements, Guardian Australia reportedly filed a request under freedom of information laws for a detailed list of the contents of these 66 permits; however, the Department of Defence did not meet the legal deadline for this request. The application is now under review by the Information Commissioner.

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Defense officials indicated that a reassessment of existing permits was forthcoming, and Guardian Australia has since confirmed more details about this process.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy recently announced in the House of Commons that the UK government would suspend 30 of its 350 existing arms licenses to "Israel" due to “a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”

Australian officials are currently reviewing each active permit, evaluating the export control criteria, and engaging with the involved companies. It is understood that no permits have been revoked yet, but the government plans to finalize all decisions in a single batch at the end of the review.

“A permit would be refused if Australia identified an export would be used contrary to the national interest, including violating human rights,” stated a Defense spokesperson.

Permits are required for a wide range of goods and technologies, many of which have legitimate commercial and civilian uses. Additionally, Australia has issued 12 defense-related export permits for "Israel" since October 2023, as per Guardian Australia. This figure exceeds the eight permits previously known at the June estimates committee hearing.

Defense officials explained that these export permits are necessary for items sent from Australia to "Israel" for repair or overhaul by Israeli suppliers before being returned to Australia.

Protests against arms aid to 'Israel'

The Greens have called for a halt to all military trade with "Israel", with their defense spokesperson, David Shoebridge, asserting that Australia must not do anything to “embolden Israel to continue the genocide.” However, the Albanese government has resisted calls to terminate contracts with Israeli companies that supply goods for the Australian Defence Force and police.

The review follows a request from the Australian Centre for International Justice to Defence Minister Richard Marles in April, asking for the revocation of all current export permits to Israel and other nations that might transfer them to Israel. The centre was acting on behalf of Palestinian human rights organizations.

The centre’s executive director and principal lawyer, Rawan Arraf, stated that the government had “spent the last 12 months muddying the waters” regarding the export control regime. She emphasized that under the Arms Trade Treaty, Australia is obligated not to approve the export of conventional arms, munitions, parts, or components when there is a significant risk that they could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.

“The government has been put on notice, from the international court of justice, the international criminal court, the UN general assembly, and other UN bodies, that Israel is committing serious violations of international law,” she added.

Australian unions, committees, support sanctions, boycott of 'Israel'

Last week, several national federations, educational councils, and committees in Australia backed a resolution supporting the boycott of “Israel”, divestment from it, and the imposition of sanctions against it, in light of the genocidal crimes its forces continue committing against Palestinians in Gaza. 

This includes the National Trade Union Federation of Australia and the National Council of the National Higher Education Union (NTEU NC), which overwhelmingly supported a boycott of Israeli universities, in response to the global campaign to boycott "Israel".

It is worth noting that the National Council consists of more than 100 representatives from approximately 40 branches of the NTEU, whose members amount to at least 27,000. 

Likewise, the Federation's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy Committee and its elected officials at the national and popular levels expressed solidarity with Palestine.

Members of the committees and employees of the student camps called for the end of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. They opposed the police-backed campaign of repression launched by the university administrations against the right to freedom of expression and assembly in rejection of the Israeli occupation's crimes.

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