Ed Husic Urges Australia to Halt F-35 Parts for Israel as Gaza Death Toll Tops 64,000
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 27
Ed Husic Urges Australia to Halt F-35 Parts for Israel as Gaza Death Toll Tops 64,000
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 27
Labor MP Ed Husic called for Canberra to draw a “red line” with Israel, urging tougher sanctions, an end to defence cooperation and a stop to Australian-made F-35 parts entering Israeli jets.
He said repeated incidents had gone unanswered — including alleged mistreatment of Global Sumud Flotilla activists, the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and damage to Australian war graves.
Husic said disquiet was growing inside Labor after minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunted detained activists; Foreign Minister Penny Wong summoned Israel’s ambassador, while Israel denied mistreatment and said detainees were handled lawfully.
The push also challenges Defence Minister Richard Marles, who told Labor MPs restricting F-35 trade would be difficult because Australia’s role in the Joint Strike Fighter program underpins RAAF operations and carries treaty obligations.
Husic tied the case to wider legal and humanitarian concerns, citing the ICJ’s plausible-genocide finding and a Gaza war that has killed more than 64,000 people after Hamas’s October 2023 attack killed 1,200.
Is Australia legally trapped by US treaties into supplying F-35 parts to Israel amid genocide claims?
After an aid worker's death and activist abuse, what truly prevents Australia from drawing a 'red line'?
Australia Under Fire: 71,000 Gaza Deaths, F-35 Exports, and the Battle Over Legal and Moral Responsibility
Overview
The report highlights the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with over 71,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 171,000 injuries since October 2023. This dire situation has led to urgent calls for international action, especially from Australian MP Ed Husic, who has pushed for stronger measures and sanctions. The crisis began after Hamas’s attack on Israel, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages. Ongoing violence and mounting fatalities have intensified scrutiny of Australia’s military exports to Israel and raised questions about transparency, legal obligations, and the country’s global standing amid growing international and domestic pressure.