In April this year, AFOPA responded to an invitation by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs to comment as part of the Government’s feasibility study on strengthening trade and investment with Israel.

The submission concludes that, from an Australian perspective, there is no apparent imperative for Australia to develop closer trading and investment links with Israel; the attraction to do so is limited, risks are involved, and public resources in Australia would more productively be spent in assessing the feasibility of trade and investment opportunities with other countries. Analysis of the available trade data and socio-political issues brings into question whether Australia’s active pursuit of closer business links with Israel is in the national interest.