Israeli drone gun proof of arms trade ‘gaslighting’, says Shoebridge

The Greens spokesperson for defence has alleged a photo reportedly taken from DroneShield’s February 2024 investor presentation shows an Israel Defense Forces soldier carrying an anti-drone jamming DroneGun Mk4 and Patrol body-worn detection device.

Government ministers have previously stated that Australia has not exported a single defence weapon to Israel over the last five years and only permits for exports are componentry that have gone to Israel since the conflict began in October last year.

“This is the smoking gun. For months the Albanese government has been misleading the public on its role in the two-way arms trade with the State of Israel,” said Senator Shoebridge.

“Now we have a picture of an Australian-made DroneGun being used by an Israeli soldier within the last year and a half, with that same weapon being held by the Prime Minister.

“We know that Australia is exporting military equipment and weapons to Israel from drone engines and military steel to parts of the F-35 fighter jet. But this DroneGun is another stark example of the depth of the two-way arms trade between the two countries.

“We can expect that the Labor government will continue to gaslight the Australian public and claim that the Australian-made DroneGun used by the Israeli military and modelled by Prime Minister Albanese is not a weapon and when they say that, their credibility will only further erode.”

A statement from Greens further alleges that the DroneGun Mk4 was likely provided to the IDF through local distributor in Israel called Sparta Ltd. DroneShield has an office in the US and manufacturing headquarters in Sydney.

VIEW ALL

During Senate estimates questioning in June 2024, Defence revealed that there are currently 66 military export permits active for the State of Israel.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a joint statement with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon calling for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza.

“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue,” the statement said.

“We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas for the atrocities of October 7 and ongoing acts of terror. Hamas must lay down its arms and release all hostages. We see no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza.

“Israel must listen to the concerns of the international community. The protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement under international humanitarian law. Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas. It must end.

“An immediate ceasefire is needed desperately. Civilians must be protected, and a sustained increase in the flow of assistance throughout Gaza is needed to address the humanitarian situation.

“We fully stand behind the comprehensive ceasefire deal, outlined by President Biden and endorsed by the UN Security Council. We call on parties to the conflict to agree to the deal. Any delay will only see more lives lost.

“We are committed to working towards an irreversible path to achieving a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live securely within internationally recognised borders. This is the only realistic option to achieve a just and enduring peace.

“We call on Israel to respond substantively to the ICJ’s advisory opinion, and ensure accountability for ongoing acts of violence against Palestinians by extremist settlers, reverse the record expansion of settlements in the West Bank which are illegal under international law, and work towards a two-state solution.

“​We are gravely concerned about the prospect of further escalation across the region. We condemn Iran’s attack against Israel of April 13–14, call on Iran to refrain from further destabilising actions in the Middle East, and demand that Iran and its affiliated groups, including Hizballah, cease their attacks. We also condemn the Houthis’ ongoing reckless acts, including their indiscriminate drone attack in Tel Aviv and ongoing attacks on international shipping.

“We are particularly concerned by the situation along the Blue Line, including the escalation of hostilities and rhetoric between the terror group Hizballah and Israel. It has led to the displacement of thousands of Israelis along the northern border and thousands of Lebanese along the southern border. Further hostilities put tens of thousands of civilians in Lebanon and Israel at risk.

“This escalation in hostilities only makes a ceasefire in Gaza more urgent. We urge all involved actors to exercise restraint and de-escalate. We support diplomatic efforts to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701. A wider scale war would have disastrous consequences for Israel and Lebanon, and for civilians across the region.”