An Australian military officer has had his security clearance revoked over concerns about potential foreign influence due to his loyalty to Israel, the Guardian reported.
The officer, who is Jewish and served for 19 years in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), lost his security clearance after Australia's intelligence agency, ASIO, found he withheld information about training he received in Israel, including tactical planning, self-defense and firearms instruction.
In documents released by the tribunal, ASIO said the officer, identified as HWMW, displayed "poor judgment, poor security practices, failure to comply with failure to comply with the obligations of a security clearance holder," making him vulnerable to exploitation by Israeli intelligence services, specifically Mossad.
During a security interview, HWMW said, "Zionism is an essential theme within Judaism. Judaism mandates the loyalty of a Jew to his people and to the Land of Israel." He said that he did not see Israel as a foreign government, further raising concerns about his divided loyalty.
HWMW reportedly traveled to Israel in 2016 and 2019 for training courses with a community security group (CSG), an Australian Jewish organization providing community protection services. These courses, which included tactical planning, self-defense and firearms training, were run by Ami-Ad, an organization financed by the Israeli government.
ASIO said his incomplete disclosures regarding these trips and his stated willingness to share classified information with Israel created vulnerabilities that could be exploited by foreign intelligence services.
HWMW appealed the decision to the administrative review tribunal, arguing he initially joined the CSG "to play a role safeguarding the local community from attacks," ensuring a thriving Jewish presence in Australia. He expressed disappointment, saying, "It seems that events have now turned on me."
In its ruling, ASIO concluded that HWMW showed "poor judgment and poor security practices," leaving him vulnerable to foreign interference. The tribunal upheld ASIO’s assessment, confirming the revocation of his security clearance.
Australian military personnel undergo rigorous security checks, and those with foreign ties face greater scrutiny in obtaining security clearances.
