A long-serving officer in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has had his security clearance revoked after intelligence authorities ruled he was more loyal to Israel than to Australia. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) determined that the officer was vulnerable to being influenced or even exploited by Israeli intelligence services.
ASIO found that the officer, who had served in the ADF for nearly two decades, did not meet the necessary level of trustworthiness required to hold a security clearance. The investigation revealed that he had withheld information about training he had undertaken in Israel, which included self-defence, security, and firearms courses.
During security interviews, the officer admitted that he did not consider Israel to be a foreign government. He also stated that if the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asked him for classified information, he would be willing to share it. This raised serious concerns for ASIO, which assessed that his loyalty to Israel could pose a national security risk.
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Secret Training in Israel Raises Concerns
ASIO’s investigation discovered that the officer had traveled to Israel in 2016 and 2019 to participate in security training programs. These courses were organized by an Israeli group that promotes volunteerism within Jewish communities and was funded by the Israeli government. The training sessions covered tactical planning, self-defence, and firearms handling. Some of the instructors were former members of Israel’s intelligence agency.
The officer never reported these training courses to Australian authorities. When questioned, he admitted that his failure to disclose the information was a mistake but insisted that he had no ill intent. However, ASIO saw his actions as a sign of poor judgment and a potential security risk.
ASIO also investigated his involvement in a Sydney-based community security group (CSG), where he had volunteered for nearly a decade. The CSG is an organization that provides security services for Jewish communities. While his role in the group was not illegal, ASIO believed his training in Israel and his deep connections with Israeli organizations made him susceptible to foreign influence.
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ASIO Declares Him a Security Risk
The officer’s security clearance had been upgraded to “Top Secret” in 2010, allowing him access to highly sensitive information. However, after reviewing his actions and statements, ASIO concluded that even lowering his clearance level would not be enough to reduce the risk. The intelligence agency determined that his strong ties to Israel and his willingness to withhold key details about his activities made him unsuitable to hold any security clearance.
During interviews, the officer defended his actions by saying that Zionism was a central part of Judaism and that loyalty to the Jewish people and Israel was a natural belief for many Jews. He argued that the ADF welcomed people from different backgrounds and should understand that Jewish personnel might feel a connection to Israel.
Despite his explanations, ASIO’s assessment remained unchanged. The agency ruled that his loyalty to Israel over Australia, combined with his undisclosed training, created an unacceptable security risk. The officer appealed the decision, but the tribunal reviewing his case sided with ASIO, affirming the decision to strip him of his clearance.
With this ruling, the officer will no longer have access to classified information and will be unable to continue serving in any capacity that requires a security clearance.
