An officer in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has had his high-level security clearance revoked due to concerns over his loyalty to Israel. Identified in documents as HWMW, this Army Reserve officer, a Jewish Australian citizen who enlisted in 2004, had held an NV2 security clearance—second only to “top secret”—since 2010.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) conducted multiple security assessments between October 2020 and April 2023. During these evaluations, HWMW expressed a willingness to share classified information with Israel if requested, citing a “natural solidarity” with the country and indicating that he did not perceive Israel as a foreign government. Additionally, he failed to disclose participation in training courses in Israel in both February 2016 and February 2019.
ASIO’s findings concluded that HWMW posed a vulnerability to influence or coercion that could lead to espionage or foreign interference. They reported that his loyalty to Israel appeared to surpass his obligations to the Australian government as a holder of a security clearance. Consequently, on June 3, 2023, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess issued a negative security assessment, resulting in the revocation of HWMW’s clearance. This decision may adversely impact his employment prospects, given the nature of the information and roles associated with his position.
Disagreeing with ASIO’s assessment, HWMW sought a review from the Administrative Review Tribunal, defending his 19 years of service and asserting that he would never engage in espionage while in uniform. The tribunal, after reviewing both sides, upheld ASIO’s assessment, affirming the accuracy and relevance of the security concerns raised with respect to risks of espionage and foreign interference.
While the tribunal did not formally conclude whether HWMW was disloyal to the Australian government, it acknowledged his competing loyalties between his obligations to the ADF and his cultural and religious identity. The situation has drawn attention, and 9news.com.au has reached out to the ADF for commentary, although ASIO has declined to discuss specific cases publicly.