Australia Debates Ethics, Continues Arming Alleged Genocidaires
The Guardian reports on calls to eject Israeli weapons manufacturers, Elbit and Rafael, from a Sydney defence expo, citing a UN finding of 'genocide occurring in Gaza' and Australia's potential breach of international obligations. (Funny how 'potential breach' still means business as usual until someone gets sued.) These aren't just 'weapons companies'; Elbit Systems (whose drones are used
extensively in Gaza) profited an estimated $US300 million from its Elbit Land division in 2023, per its own financial reports, demonstrating a clear financial incentive tied directly to ongoing military operations. While Australia mulls over optics, the U.S. continues to greenlight weaponry. The Biden administration, for instance, controversially approved multiple arms sales to Israel, including
2,000-pound bombs – widely criticized for their indiscriminate devastation in densely populated areas – often sidestepping congressional review. One might wonder if the moral compass spins differently when it's not 'your' expo, but 'your' tax dollars funding the instruments of 'alleged' war crimes.