Amnesty International Australia is gravely concerned by new reports confirming that Australia has directly supplied parts for F-35 fighter jets to Israel, which have been used in its genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Despite repeated claims by the Australian Government that it is not supplying arms or arms parts to Israel, shipping records now reveal goods labelled ‘aircraft parts’ were recently sent on two flights from Sydney to Tel Aviv. The parts are registered to Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer and global supply chain manager of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
In the absence of a UN Security Council arms embargo, Amnesty International is calling on the Australian Government to immediately impose a comprehensive two-way arms embargo on Israel and all armed groups involved in the crisis.
This embargo must remain in place until there is no substantial risk that arms could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international human rights or humanitarian law, and until effective accountability mechanisms are in place.
Under Article 6 of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), to which Australia is a party, States are prohibited from authorising arms transfers that would violate international obligations, including where the exporting state has knowledge that the arms would be used in genocide, crimes against humanity, or certain war crimes. Supplying components that facilitate such acts may result in legal liability for both States and corporations.
F-35s have been repeatedly used by Israeli Forces in airstrikes on designated safe zones in Gaza, killing tens of thousands of civilians.They were also deployed in Israel’s recent illegal airstrikes on Iran.
Australia serves as a key location for the manufacturing of F-35 parts, one of only a few worldwide, raising serious concerns about Australia’s potential complicity in war crimes and grave violations of international law.
Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson says:
“The lack of transparency surrounding Australia’s defence exports has made it extremely difficult to determine the extent of our involvement in the commission of genocide and war crimes. This is the first time we have such clear reports of direct exports. Until now, the Government has either refused to confirm or has claimed all transfers are routed through the US. That excuse no longer holds.
“With unimaginable human suffering in Gaza, and a death toll exceeding 58,000, this disclosure exposes how Australian-made components are ending up in the hands of the Israeli Forces. This is not only immoral, it is unlawful.”
Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson
“With unimaginable human suffering in Gaza, and a death toll exceeding 58,000, this disclosure exposes how Australian-made components are ending up in the hands of the Israeli Forces. This is not only immoral, it is unlawful.
“82% of Australians want our Government to do more with actions, not just words. The Government must halt all exports immediately and disclose the full extent of Australia’s defence trade with Israel. The current secrecy surrounding our defence export regime undermines Australia’s obligations under the ATT and risks making us complicit in genocide. It is morally reprehensible and unacceptable to every Australian who believes in human rights and the protection of innocent lives.”
“The current secrecy surrounding our defence export regime undermines Australia’s obligations under the ATT and risks making us complicit in genocide. It is morally reprehensible and unacceptable to every Australian who believes in human rights and the protection of innocent lives.”
Mohamed Duar
Background
In August 2024, Amnesty International Australia warned of major concerns regarding the onward sale of arms and arms parts from Australia to the Israeli military via intermediate countries. In November 2024, over 230 global civil society organisations called for the immediate end of all arms transfers to Israel by countries involved in the production of F-35 fighter jets. The F-35 jet programme partners include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States (lead partner). Israel has used F-35 jets in its genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
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