Australian defence force officer stripped of security clearance over loyalty to Israel

The officer, who joined the ADF in 2004, was interrogated by Asio officers in security assessment interviews in 2020 and 2022. Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP

An officer in the Australian army has been stripped of his security clearance because Asio believes he is more loyal to Israel than Australia, and at risk of being exploited by the Mossad.

The man told Asio interviewers he did not view Israel as a foreign government and that he would share classified information with the Israel Defense Forces if they asked for it.