The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) calls on the Australian Government to ensure its review of the 66 defence export permits granted to Israel prior to the start of its genocide in Gaza results in a complete, two-way arms embargo on Israel.
While this review is a necessary and long-overdue step, it must lead to the full severing of military ties with Israel. Anything less leaves Australia complicit in Israel’s ongoing violations of international law.
For months, civil society, human rights groups, and legal advocates have urged the government to stop enabling Israel’s grave breaches of international law, including war crimes, apartheid, and genocide in Palestine.
APAN acknowledges the tireless efforts of the Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ), which has acted on behalf of Palestinian human rights organisations, appealing to the government to revoke all current export permits to Israel, as well as to third-party states that might transfer these goods to Israel.
This review, and the implementation of a full arms embargo, cannot be delayed. It must be conducted with the urgency that an active genocide demands.
During the past year, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the United Nations have all reaffirmed Israel’s responsibility for serious breaches of international law, including genocide, illegal occupation, and apartheid.
In recent weeks, the French President has called for an arms embargo on Israel, while in September, the UK announced it would suspend some arms exports, citing a clear risk they could be used by Israel in international law violations.
As a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty, Australia is obligated to prevent arms exports that could be used to commit violations of international humanitarian law. Continuing military ties with Israel is not only legally indefensible but morally unacceptable.
The Australian Government must move beyond rhetoric and half-measures, aligning its policies with international law by immediately cutting all military and trade relations with Israel.
Comments attributed to APAN President Nasser Mashni:
“The government’s announcement of this review is testament to the tireless dedication and unwavering advocacy of organisations like the ACIJ and the community, which have fought for justice and accountability for the Palestinian people amid the horrors of Israel’s ongoing genocide.
“The Australian Government’s review of defence export permits to Israel is long overdue, and it will be meaningless unless it results in a full arms embargo.
“As a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty, Australia has a legal obligation to halt any arms trade with countries engaged in serious violations of humanitarian law.
“Israel is committing genocide in Gaza – there is no legal or moral justification for maintaining any defence relations.”