Wong, Farrell, DFAT duck for cover on rising Israel trade, genocide risk

Despite the genocide, Australia maintains a defense trade office in West Jerusalem and condemns the “unfair targeting” of Israel by the United Nations. Stephanie Tran reports.

More than 350 Palestinians have been killed since the Israel-Hamas ‘ceasefire’ last month, and tensions continue to rise in the West Bank over extrajudicial killings and other violations of international law, including repeated ceasefire violations in Lebanon; but Australia continues to deepen trade and defense ties with Israel, dodging questions about its defense trade office in West Jerusalem.

The West Jerusalem Trade and Defense Office, established in 2019 under the Morrison government, continues to operate and is funded by Australian taxpayers. The office supports defense cooperation, investment and commercial opportunities between the two countries despite ongoing litigation regarding International Court of Justice and UN findings of genocide and Israel’s systematic human rights violations.

Sidoti says “Scandalous”

Former Australian Human Rights Commissioner Chris Sidoti said UN Commission of Inquiry on Palestine and IsraelHe said it was “scandalous” that the government continued to operate the office while Israel was accused of genocide.

“The fact that that office is still operating and promoting defense cooperation is nothing short of scandalous. It is absolutely scandalous that we are promoting defense cooperation between Australia and Israel under these circumstances,” he said.

A new lease

Austrade paid WeWork Israel $218,115 between March 2019 and June 2025 to rent office space for its trade and defense mission, according to Austender data. The lease was renewed again in July 2025 for another $26,185, extending its operation through at least December 2025.

The same month, it was revealed that an Israeli arms company, which has commercial agreements with the Australian government, was promoting its wares with images of the IDF massacring Palestinians.

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The office was announced by Scott Morrison shortly after the government controversially announced its official recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, despite Australia’s halting move of its embassy from Tel Aviv.

Documents from the period show that the West Jerusalem Trade and Defense Office was designed to expand cooperation in defense research, cybersecurity and commercial defense exports.

Austrade did not respond to questions

While Israel is accused by the UN and numerous human rights organizations of genocide, unlawful killing of civilians, mass destruction of civilian infrastructure and systematic violation of humanitarian law, it will be discussed whether it is appropriate to establish a defense-publicity office for Israel.

DFAT condemns UN for ‘unfairly targeting’ Israel

Despite the ICJ’s interim measures and the UN Commission of Inquiry’s finding that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to defend Israel.

according to Israel country summary “Australia strongly opposes the unfair targeting of Israel at the United Nations and other multilateral institutions,” DFAT says on its website.

“Australia continues to expand bilateral cooperation with Israel. There has been a significant increase in participation in a number of sectors in recent years, including innovation, security and defence,” DFAT said.

We asked DFAT to explain the meaning of these statements and provide examples of how Israel has been unfairly targeted by the United Nations and other multilateral institutions.

DFAT declined to comment.

Trade with Israel is protected by confidentiality provisions

Trade statistics between Australia and Israel continue to be largely suppressed due to confidentiality provisions in ABS reporting.

In 2024:

• Australia exported $69.1 million worth of “Secret merchandise” to Israel.
• The $27 million portion of exports was classified as “Other services – details not provided.”
• Israel similarly exported $70 million to Australia in undisclosed “other services”.

Overall, Australia imported $893.2 million in goods and services from Israel in 2024 and exported $327.6 million.

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bending down for protection

MWM Ask the questions below to DFAT, Austrade, Foreign Secretary Penny Wong, Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell and Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy.

All parties contacted declined to respond.

1. according to Israel country summary “Australia strongly opposes the unfair targeting of Israel at the United Nations and other multilateral institutions,” DFAT says on its website. What is meant by this statement? How has Israel been unfairly targeted by the United Nations and other multilateral institutions?

2. Former Australian Human Rights Commissioner Chris Sidoti, a member of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Palestine and Israel, said in his speech at the National Press Club that it was a “scandal” that Australia’s Trade and Defense Office in West Jerusalem was still operating in light of the developments in Israel. UN Commission’s finding That Israel has committed and continues to commit genocide in Gaza. Why didn’t Austrade take action to close the West Jerusalem Trade and Defense Office? Is it appropriate to establish an office to promote defense cooperation between Australia and Israel in light of UN findings that the State of Israel has committed human rights violations, war crimes and genocide against the Palestinian people?

3. Australia in 2015 “Landing Pad” in Tel Aviv. Is Australia’s “Landing Pad” in Tel Aviv still operational? If not, when was this office closed and what were the reasons behind this decision?

4. According to ABS data, Australia exported $69.1 million worth of “Secret merchandise” to Israel in 2024. What is the nature of this export and why is it secret?

5. Australia imported $70 million in 2024 “Other services – details not provided.” What is the nature of these services and why are details of these services not provided?

6. Last month, Declassified Australia reported Between October 2023 and September 2025, a shipment of 68 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter parts was flown directly from Australia to Israel. Why does Australia continue to supply F-35 parts to Israel despite extensive evidence of the use of F-35 jets? indiscriminate bombardment From Gaza?

7. Under Genocide ConventionStates have an obligation to prevent and punish genocide. The obligation to prevent genocide was decided by the International Court of Justice in January 2024. reigned He said it was “reasonable” for Israel to commit genocide in Gaza. Chris Sidoti said there was a “very real risk” that Australia would breach its international legal obligations under the Genocide Convention by continuing to maintain trade and defense ties with the state of Israel. What kind of due diligence has DFAT done to ensure Australia’s trade with Israel does not facilitate the commission of genocide and crimes against humanity?

8. In October 2017, Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Israel on defense industry cooperation, and in January 2019, Australia and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cybersecurity cooperation. What are the obligations under this MOU and is Australia considering terminating this MOU in light of the UN’s findings?

Israel’s multibillion-dollar defense contract puts Australia at risk

Stephanie is a journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that will hold the power to account. With experience in both law and journalism, he worked at The Guardian and worked as a paralegal, where he assisted Crikey’s defense team in the high-profile libel case brought by Lachlan Murdoch. His reporting has been recognized nationally, earning him the 2021 Guardians of Democracy Award for Student Investigative Reporting and a nomination for the 2021 Walkley Student Journalist of the Year Award.