Australian Tribunal: Israeli siblings can stay to avoid Gaza war crimes

Three Israeli siblings who fear being forced to break international law in Gaza have won the right to reapply for Australian protection visas. A government tribunal found the young adults face genuine persecution in Israel for refusing military conscription due to their political opposition to the war. The Administrative Review Tribunal accepted that the siblings, who are Israeli citizens, could be imprisoned as conscientious objectors. The tribunal ruled this punishment would amount to persecution. The three siblings argued that serving in the Israel Defense Forces would force them to violate international humanitarian law in Gaza. Australia’s tribunal agreed their fear was genuine. The decision grants them a new chance to seek asylum in Australia.