Australia is working to see real change in Gaza: FM

CANBERRA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) — “Australia is working with partners, including the UK, to put pressure to see a real change in the situation in Gaza,” Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign minister, was quoted by a media report as saying.
The foreign minister said the Australian government made it clear earlier in 2024 that the only export permit applications approved for items to Israel are for items requiring repairs that will return to Australia for defense and law enforcement, the Guardian Australia reported on Tuesday.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel earlier in September after a review concluded there was a clear risk that weapons might be used to violate international humanitarian law.
According to the Guardian Australia, the Australian government has explicitly backed Britain’s decision to curb arms exports to Israel, putting it at odds with the United States, which is reported to have privately warned Britain against the move. ■