The foreign minister, Penny Wong, says the government is “outraged” over the decision by the Israeli Defence Force not to pursue a criminal investigation into the strike on an aid convoy in 2024 that killed seven people including Australian Zomi Frankcom
In a statement issued this morning Wong says it falls “far short of the accountability we expect” and she will “call in Israel’s ambassador to Australia Hillel Newman and have directed Australia’s ambassador to Israel to convey our views directly to Israel as the Australian government considers next steps”.
double quotation markThe Australian government learned of Israel’s decision late last night, moments before it was announced, on World Humanitarian Day - which is especially insulting to Zomi’s loved ones, humanitarians and all Australians.
Zomi represented the best of Australia. Her courage deserves to be celebrated. Her family deserves justice.
The decision not to investigate further came despite Israel Defense Force’s admissions that the IDF strikes on Zomi and her colleagues’ vehicles were the result of serious failures to follow IDF procedures, mistaken identification and errors in decision-making, Wong said.
double quotation markThis was confirmed by Special Adviser Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin’s report.
Democracies seek and accept higher standards. The Australian government will not stop pressing Israel for justice for Zomi and her colleagues.
