Local response to aid worker tragedy
"We support the government's call for a thorough and transparent investigation," says Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday he expressed Australia’s “anger and concern” to Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in an overnight phone call after the death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in Gaza earlier this week.
The IDF said it is looking into the incident, in which Frankcom was killed along with six others in an errant strike.
“This is completely unacceptable,” Albanese told reporters. “I conveyed to Prime Minister Netanyahu in very clear terms that Australians were outraged by this death.”
Albanese added that he also expressed concern over a possible ground invasion of Rafah and over the loss of life so far in Gaza.
“I reiterated Australia’s condemnation, unequivocally, of the events of October 7 and of Hamas as a terrorist organisation,” he emphasised.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement on Tuesday, “The death of any aid worker is outrageous and unacceptable.
“The Australian government condemns this strike. The government has made representations to the Netanyahu government and seeks a thorough and expeditious review.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin welcomed the Israeli government’s apology for the incident.
“Those who voluntarily travel to a war zone to help people in need are heroes. Their deaths are an immense tragedy. We support the government’s call for a thorough and transparent investigation,” he said. ”Casualties caused by accidental fire are a grim reality of war, especially one involving a ruthless terrorist force that uses unlawful and sinister tactics intended to ensnare the civilian population in the fighting and inflict maximum suffering on non-combatants.
“Our community conveys condolences to Ms Frankcom’s family and all those affected.”
Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler called it “a tragedy”.
“Israel has acknowledged that her convoy was hit by Israeli fire and has expressed deep regret. This was the result of a terrible mistake. Like Australia, Israel does not target civilians,” he said.
“Like the innocent Israelis murdered by Hamas on October 7 and the innocent Palestinians since, Ms Frankcom’s death is ultimately the responsibility of Hamas. Hamas steals aid intended for Gazan civilians and its fighters disguise themselves as civilians in order to bring about this kind of tragedy.”
Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein joined all Australians “in mourning the death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues from World Central Kitchen who were bravely and compassionately working to provide food to people in need in Gaza”.
“Israel has made it clear it is eager to work with aid agencies, including World Central Kitchen, and had absolutely no reason to target them,” he said.
“We welcome Israel’s decision to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation to ascertain exactly what happened and work to ensure it does not happen again.
“Initial indications are that lack of coordination within a field unit, due to human error, caused this terrible tragedy.
“We trust Israel will ensure accountability for whoever is responsible for this heartbreaking error, and the IDF will draw appropriate operational lessons to ensure such a shocking incident is never repeated.”
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