Australian army officer stripped of security clearance over Israel loyalty leaves defence force

Asio said the officer withheld information about training courses he undertook in Israel for a community security group – an organisation that provides security and intelligence services to the Jewish community. Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP

An officer in the Australian army, stripped of his security clearance because Asio believed he was more loyal to Israel, has left the Australian defence force.

In February, Guardian Australia revealed the man had his clearance revoked after the administrative review tribunal (ART) upheld Asio’s assessment that he was not of “appropriate character and trustworthiness to hold any security clearance”.