https://michaelwest.com.au/australian-arms-exports-to-israel-data-sought-in-cour...Australian arms exports to Israel data sought in court
November 6, 2023 06:00 | News
Australia has approved 322 defence exports to Israel over the past six years, according to figures revealed during a Senate hearing last month.
Pressed on whether Australian weapons were being used against civilians in Gaza, Defence Ministry Deputy Secretary Hugh Jeffrey told the hearing such exports weren’t lethal in nature and included items such as radios, body armour, software, vehicle parts and sporting equipment.
The ministry maintains that all defence exports including the permits that Australia has approved to Israel have been assessed against stringent and robust export guidelines and international obligations.
But the groups contend, Australia may not be making decisions in accordance with domestic law and may be breaching international humanitarian law such as the Geneva Conventions.
“We are seeing the makings of a genocide unfold in front of our eyes,” Al Mezan Centre director Issam Younis said of the events in Gaza.
“If Australia is selling Israel the means to commit that genocide, it would not only be an unspeakable horror committed against the Palestinian people, it would breach Australia’s obligations under international law and its own rules around arms exports.”