Food grown in illegal West Bank settlements being sold in Australia as ‘produce of Israel’
Summary
Global Echo’s analysis of trade records found that at least US$5 million of organic dates grown in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank were shipped to Australia over eight years and labelled as “produce of Israel.” Australia does not ban imports from settlements or require labels identifying them as coming from occupied land; Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government has concerns about a blanket ban’s effects on Australian businesses.Key Facts
- Global Echo examined 132 agricultural shipments from Israel to Australia between August 2018 and August 2026.
- The analysis found settlement products in 85 shipments, or 64% of those examined.
- From January 2025 to August 2026, 20 of 24 analysed date shipments came from settlements, according to Global Echo.
- The dates came from West Bank settlements including Netiv Hagdud, Beit Haarava, Arvot Jericho, Hamra, Tomer, Mechora and Naaran.
- The article says Israeli law requires exports from settlements to be labelled as originating in Israel unless the destination country prohibits that labelling.
- Australia has no law banning settlement imports and does not require products to be labelled as originating from occupied land.
- Penny Wong said Australia was not pursuing a blanket import ban and cited concerns about unintended effects on Australian businesses.
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