7am Is Australia supplying weapons to Israel?
Aug 25, 2025
Antony Loewenstein, co-founder of Declassified Australia and author of The Palestine Laboratory, dives into Australia's controversial role in supplying military support to Israel amid rising protests against the war in Gaza. He discusses the ethical dilemmas tied to Australia's significant contributions to the global arms supply chain. The podcast examines the complexities of Australia's foreign policy, including the recognition of Palestinian statehood while simultaneously continuing arms sales. Loewenstein highlights the intricate legal implications and the impact of public opinion on diplomatic relations.
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Australia's Integral Role In F-35 Supply Chain
- Australia is part of the F-35 global supply chain providing unique components like bomb bay doors and helmet visor parts.
- Those Australian-made parts are essential for the F-35's ability to carry and release munitions in combat.
Unique Parts Create Legal Vulnerability
- Australian companies make the bomb-bay mechanism that allows a bomb to be released, and some parts are unique to Australia.
- Legal experts warn producers and officials could face future liability for contributing to systems used amid credible accusations of gross human-rights abuses.
Audit Supply Chains And Prepare For Legal Scrutiny
- Governments and companies should review exports and supply-chain links when military hardware may be used in abuses.
- Legal challenges in the UK and Netherlands show litigation is a plausible path to force policy change.
