Israeli ambassador rejects 'political attacks' on report clearing soldiers in Frankcom killing

Israel's ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, has defended the military investigation that cleared Israeli soldiers of criminal wrongdoing in the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom. Newman stated that the findings of the two-year Israel Defense Forces (IDF) investigation should not be attacked if they "are not suitable to one's political agenda."

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Israel came out with findings after a thorough investigation, after a two-year investigation into the circumstances of the death of Zomi Frankcom.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong had summoned Mr. Newman to explain the IDF's conclusions after expressing outrage that no one would face criminal charges for the 2024 death of Ms. Frankcom and six other humanitarian workers. They were killed in a drone strike while traveling in a World Central Kitchen convoy through Gaza.

Senator Wong was reportedly incensed upon learning that the IDF would not pursue criminal prosecution just minutes before the report's release. This occurred hours after she attended an event with Ms. Frankcom's family for World Humanitarian Day, where she launched an award in the aid worker's name. "Zomi represented the best of Australia. Her courage deserves to be celebrated. Her family deserves justice," Senator Wong stated.

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But in the end, one must also understand that not every case where someone dies, where there is a casualty, that that means there is a criminal liability.

The IDF investigation acknowledged "serious failures" led soldiers to mistakenly believe a Hamas fighter was traveling with the convoy. However, the military also stated that World Central Kitchen did not flag the presence of armed security with the convoy and that the convoy deviated from an agreed route. The review concluded that commanders' decisions did not raise reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct. World Central Kitchen disputes these findings, calling for an independent review and stating the IDF "cannot credibly investigate its own conduct."

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One cannot attack the findings of a court if the findings are not suitable to one's political agenda.

Ambassador Newman defended the investigation, emphasizing that "not every case where someone dies... means there is a criminal liability." He reiterated that the aid group recruited armed personnel and deviated from the agreed route without informing the military, leading soldiers to believe the convoy had been compromised. He stressed that while it was a mistake, the court's findings indicated no criminal intention or responsibility.

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Zomi represented the best of Australia. Her courage deserves to be celebrated. Her family deserves justice.