New Zealand: Urge Australia to Stop Arms Exports to Israel

As the people of Gaza face relentless attacks and destruction, Amnesty International is calling for a complete arms embargo on Israel, Hamas, and other armed groups. This includes demanding greater transparency and a stronger national control system for arms exports, especially in Australia.

Australia’s current arms export process is shrouded in secrecy. While the Australian government has stated that it has not directly exported weapons to Israel in five years, the situation remains unclear. Australian-manufactured parts, such as TNT for artillery shells, may still be making their way to Israel through exports to the US, which then supplies these to the Israeli Defence Force.

The consequences of this are dire. The Israeli military’s actions in Gaza, including indiscriminate bombings and attacks on civilians, have been widely condemned as war crimes. But there’s a critical question: Are Australian-made arms contributing to this violence? While it’s not known for certain, the potential connection is troubling.

Amnesty International is calling on all nations to impose a full arms embargo on Israel, Hamas, and other parties involved in the conflict to prevent further violations of international humanitarian law. The reality is that even if Australian weapons aren’t directly used in Gaza, we cannot be certain. The secrecy surrounding arms exports leaves too much room for doubt.

As New Zealanders, we have a moral duty to stand up against this ongoing violence. We must urge the Australian government to halt any export of arms to Israel, including parts and ammunition. Together, we can ensure that nothing manufactured in Australia contributes to the destruction and loss of life in Gaza.

Sign the petition now and make your voice heard in calling for Australia to take responsibility and stop arms exports to Israel. It’s time to act.