AUSSIE! AUSSIE! AUSSIE!

While the exact number of participants is not officially tracked by the Australian government, estimates from groups like the Australian Centre for International Justice and various media reports suggest that up to 1,000 Australians, including dual citizens and reservists, have been active in the IDF genocide since late 2023.

Most are dual Australian-Israeli citizens. Many were already living in Israel or were called up as part of the massive mobilisation of 360,000 reservists following the October 7 attacks. They represent a cross-section of the Australian-Jewish diaspora, ranging from young lone soldiers who moved to Israel specifically to serve, to older reservists who had previously completed their mandatory service but were called back to duty. Their roles vary widely across the military hierarchy, including combat roles in infantry or armoured divisions within the Gaza Strip and along the northern border, as well as support, medical aid, and intelligence analysis.

Under current Australian law, their legal status is nuanced but generally clear. Serving in the official armed forces of a recognised foreign government, such as the IDF, is generally not an offence under Australian law. This stands in stark contrast to fighting for non-state actors or designated terrorist organisations, which is a serious crime carrying up to life imprisonment. Furthermore, while joining the force is legal, recruiting others on Australian soil for a foreign military remains prohibited without specific authorisation.

It is important to note that while joining is legal, Australian law still applies to the conduct of its citizens. Australians can be prosecuted domestically for war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide, regardless of where the acts occurred. The Australian government has maintained a careful policy regarding these citizens. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Border Force do not actively track every individual serving overseas, though the Border Force has reportedly intervened with several individuals at airports to provide information regarding their legal obligations before they depart.

Upon their return, IDF participants are generally allowed to re-enter Australia without the same hindrance faced by those returning from designated terrorist zones. The Australian Federal Police has stated that any Australian suspected of committing a criminal offence while in a conflict zone may be investigated on a case-by-case basis. While some advocacy groups and political parties have called for a dedicated war crimes investigation unit to vet returnees, the government has not established such a body. For now, these Australians occupy a unique space: they are participating in a foreign war with the government’s permission, yet remain subject to international law and domestic monitoring groups.

Although the context was quite different back in my day, I think I have the knowledge and experience to suggest that any Australian who travelled to Israel post 7.10.23 specifically to serve in the IDF should at least be questioned upon return. The most recent recruits knew exactly what they were getting themselves into.

To ensure I’m able to keep sharing my thoughts as clearly as possible despite my gradual cognitive decline, I’ve started relying on Grammarly to polish sentence structure, improve clarity and conciseness (helping rein in my tendency to ramble a bit), suggest words when they slip my mind, and ensure each post stays true to my own natural tone and voice. I write it, Grammarly fixes it. Respect for the reader.

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