The evidence suggests the Greens' claims of a 'two-way arms trade' between Australia and Israel is in fact one-way, with Australia importing but not exporting lethal technology from Israel.
When the dial was turned up on the heated Gaza debate in federal parliament last week, the Greens repeated an accusation they have made regularly in recent months: that the federal government is "supporting genocide" through a "two-way arms trade" with Israel, as party leader Adam Bandt put it.
Under carefully choreographed questioning by a junior Labor senator, Deputy Secretary Hugh Jeffrey explained to the committee that since the Gaza conflict had begun the government had been scrutinising defence export permits involving Israel. " for a single item, that is a return to Australia item that falls under the category of what we've just been talking about in that it supports Australian defence capability," Defence official David Nockles told Senate estimates last week.A more effective line of argument from the Greens has been Australia's involvement in the global supply chain for the F-35 jet fighter, which is operated by over a dozen nations including Israel.
This week, Defence Minister Richard Marles added to the pushback against the F-35 supply chain criticism, telling ABC Melbourne that Australian made components for the warplane were "non-lethal". On Monday, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy argued Elbit had been "subcontracted" by Hanwha, and while the government had control over such decisions it was not "sanctioning Israeli businesses or boycotting Jewish businesses"."We are contracted with Hanwha Defence Australia to build infantry fighting vehicles for the Australian Army in Australia.
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