Damon Mcknight
Australia has approved 322 defence exports to Israel in the last six years, including military-specific goods and dual-use devices. However, Australia has also provided humanitarian aid to Palestine, totalling $21.5 million, with a focus on women and children. This funding is distributed through the United Nations (UN) and major international aid agencies such as the Red Cross. Australia has also repeatedly condemned Hamas and supported Israel's right to self-defence.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Australia's humanitarian funding to Israel
Australia has provided humanitarian funding to support civilians impacted by conflicts in the Middle East, including in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This funding is directed to meet urgent humanitarian needs, with a focus on women and children.
In recent years, Australia has committed approximately $30 million in annual aid to fund humanitarian projects in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This funding is distributed through the United Nations and international aid organisations such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. In 2023-24, Australia provided an estimated $32.2 million in aid funding to the region.
In January 2024, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced an additional $21.5 million in humanitarian support for Gaza and its refugees. This funding included $4 million for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, $6 million for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and $11.5 million for refugee programs in Lebanon and Jordan.
Australia has also provided consular assistance to Australians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including emergency assistance and advice on departure.
It is important to note that Australia has listed Hamas as a terrorist organisation and has measures in place to ensure that its funding does not reach designated terror groups. Australia's funding agreements include strict requirements to meet counter-terrorism financing, anti-money laundering, and anti-corruption obligations.
GST-Free Shopping in Australia: What's Exempt?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Defence exports to Israel
Australia has been criticized for its defence exports to Israel, with some fearing that the equipment is being used in the Gaza assault. According to government-compiled figures, Australia approved 322 permits for Israel-bound military or dual-use exports between 1 January 2017 and 2023. The number of permits peaked in 2021 at 62, dropping to 49 in 2022, and 23 in the first quarter of 2023.
The Australian government has affirmed Israel's right to self-defence after the Hamas attack on 7 October, but has also called for the protection of civilians and humanitarian access to Gaza. The Greens' defence spokesperson, David Shoebridge, criticized the Australian government for its secretive weapons export system, calling for greater transparency on the details of exports and associated costs. He expressed concern that Australian material is being used in the attack on Gaza.
The Australian government has stated that each export application is assessed against criteria including foreign policy, human rights, national security, regional security, and international obligations such as the Arms Trade Treaty. They have also asserted that if an export is identified as potentially facilitating human rights abuses, the permit would be refused.
Despite these assurances, rights groups, politicians, and activists have called for proof that equipment is not being used in breach of humanitarian law, with some urging a complete halt to military exports to Israel. In response to the growing criticism, the federal government has withdrawn some defence product export permits to Israel due to the 'high-intensity conflict' in the Middle East.
Interpreting and Applying Laws: Australia's Power Dynamic
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Australia's stance on Hamas
Australia has repeatedly condemned Hamas and supported Israel's right to self-defence while calling on the country to act in line with international law. In the words of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Hamas' attack was a "deliberate act of violence" that provoked Israel. He also affirmed that Israel has "every right to defend itself".
The Australian government has joined the US in affirming Israel’s right to self-defence after the 7 October Hamas attack, but has also called for the protection of civilian lives and humanitarian access to Gaza. Australia has also committed to providing humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected populations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, with a focus on women and children.
However, Australia's response to the Hamas attacks has been disappointing to some, including the Palestinian Authority, which has called for a more active leadership role in solving the problem. Abdulhadi, who represents the Palestinian Authority, described the Australian government’s response as disappointing and regrettable, stating that it was not enough to simply condemn the attacks without also taking action to resolve the conflict.
There are divisions within Australian politics regarding the country's response to the Hamas attacks and Israel’s assault on Gaza. Some have criticised the government for not doing enough to protect Palestinian civilians, while others have accused Hamas of committing atrocities against the Jewish people.
In addition, there are concerns about Australia's defence exports to Israel, with the Greens’ defence spokesperson, David Shoebridge, expressing deep concern that Australian material is being used in the attack on Gaza. Despite these concerns, the Australian government has continued to approve defence exports to Israel, with 322 permits for Israel-bound military or dual-use exports issued since 2017.
Australia's Climate Pledge: 2030 Goals and Challenges
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$17.49 $27.33
Australia's aid to Palestine
Australia has a long-term commitment to providing overseas development assistance (ODA) to Palestine, particularly through the United Nations and non-government organisations (NGOs). From 2012 to 2020, the Australian Government contributed about $20 million annually to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) through multi-year agreements. In 2019, Senator Wong, then Labor's Shadow Foreign Minister, committed to increasing UNRWA's funding to $40 million per year. However, in 2020, the coalition government halved the funding to $10 million per year. With the election of the Labor Government, the funding cut was restored, with $20 million per year committed to UNRWA in the last two years.
In 2023, Australia approved 322 defence exports to Israel in six years, sparking concerns from the Greens that the equipment could be used in the Gaza assault. Despite this, Australia affirmed Israel's right to self-defence after the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, while also calling for the protection of civilian lives and humanitarian access to Gaza.
In response to the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, Australia provided an additional $21.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the Middle East. This funding includes $4 million to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for urgent and emergency services, $6 million to UNRWA for urgent lifesaving assistance, and $11.5 million to refugee programs in Lebanon and Jordan. Australia's development cooperation and humanitarian assistance demonstrate its commitment to a two-state solution, with Israel and a future Palestinian state coexisting peacefully within recognised borders.
From 2005 until 2021, there was a major funding agreement between the Australian Government and aid agencies like CARE, Oxfam, APHEDA, and World Vision, called the Australian Middle East NGO Cooperation Agreement (AMENCA). The project achieved notable success, particularly in social inclusion for women and young people. However, it was unexpectedly concluded in 2021 without an external evaluation.
Australia has also offered scholarships for Palestinians to pursue post-graduate degrees in the country since 2011, with a focus on those employed by the Palestinian Authority. Around 12 scholarships are offered annually, with $2 million allocated for 2021-2023.
Australian Government's Waste Management Initiatives and Challenges
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Australia-Israel diplomatic relations
Australia and Israel have had diplomatic relations since 1949. Australia has repeatedly affirmed Israel's right to self-defence and supported a two-state solution in which Israel and a Palestinian state co-exist peacefully within internationally recognised borders. Australia has also provided financial support to Israel, including through defence exports and humanitarian assistance.
In recent years, Australia has approved 322 defence exports to Israel, raising concerns among some that Australian military equipment and technology may be used in the ongoing conflict with Gaza. The Australian government has emphasised the need for Israel to adhere to international law and ensure the protection of civilian lives, while also providing consular assistance to Australians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In terms of humanitarian support, Australia has committed millions of dollars in aid funding to help Palestinian civilians affected by the conflict. This funding is distributed through the United Nations and international aid organisations such as the Red Cross, with strict requirements to ensure it does not reach designated terrorist groups such as Hamas. Australia has also provided additional funding in response to specific crises, such as the 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict, to support conflict-affected populations and address the regional refugee crisis.
Australia has had a longstanding commitment to the region, with senior Australian officials visiting Israel and advocating for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Despite some tensions and disagreements, Australia and Israel continue to maintain diplomatic relations and work together on issues of mutual concern.
The Australian Outback's Fly Plague: Why So Many?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, Australia does not give money to Israel. Australia has listed Hamas as a terrorist organisation and it is a criminal offence to fund terrorist organisations.
Australia has joined the US in affirming Israel's right to self-defence and has referred to itself as a friend of Israel. However, Australia has also called for the protection of civilian lives and humanitarian access to Gaza.
Australia has provided aid funding to help Palestinian civilians, including an estimated $32.2 million in 2023/24. This money goes through the United Nations (UN) and major international aid agencies such as the Red Cross.
Australia has repeatedly condemned Hamas and supported Israel's right to self-defence. However, Australia has also called for a two-state solution in which "Israel and a future Palestinian state co-exist in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders".
Yes, Australia has approved 322 defence exports to Israel over a period of six years.
