Photo: Australian children hold sign at Brisbane protest, 24 August 2025.
On the back of nationwide protests, the Albanese Government must come clean on the fact that its failure to ban Australians serving with the IDF and apply a two-way arms embargo on Israel is unethical, ineffective and illegal, despite comments from its Defence Ministers last week.
Israel shows no intent to end its illegal occupation and settlements, reflected in both government rhetoric and public opinion. Yet Australia’s Defence team implies that Israel’s respect for international law will be restored post-Netanyahu, as if that justifies inaction while countless lives continue to be taken every day.
Defence Minister’s comments
Late this month Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles called the Government’s position on Israel “a deep ethical” one, while Assistant Minister Peter Khalil claimed it was the “most effective” option, despite confirming that arms trade and security cooperation with Israel remain unchanged.
Khalil dismissed concerns that Australia’s F-35 contributions could facilitate war crimes, insisting Australian companies only supply non-lethal parts. He also defended ongoing intelligence sharing, claiming it benefits both nations. When asked about Israel, Khalil drew a distinction: “The Netanyahu Government is not Israel.”
Now Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil thanks his volunteers after narrowly winning back his seat in the 2025 Federal Election, following a challenge by a Greens candidate backed by Muslim Votes Matter campaign.
Meanwhile, Marles told Sky News:
“When history judges the way in which we have navigated it, you will see that underlying every decision that we’ve made is a position of principle, a deep ethical position.”
Photo from Defence Minister Richard Marles’ social media following a visit to the Geelong mosque in his electorate.
Will the Albanese government listen to Australian people?
However, protests across Australia show people want an immediate halt to defence ties with Israel, including sanctions and divestment from arms supply chains linked to genocide. The government’s planned recognition of Palestinian statehood next month is no substitute for urgent action to save lives and uphold the law.
Why allow Australians to travel to Israel and serve in the IDF, knowing many legal experts consider Israel’s actions criminal? Australia must ban such service and enforce a two-way arms embargo, halting defence cooperation until Israel ends its siege, occupation and apartheid.
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