Arabic version: السفير الإسرائيلي يرفض الاعتذار عن وفاة زومي فرانكوم

Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, has rejected calls for an apology regarding the death of Australian aid worker Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom, who was killed in an Israeli drone strike in Gaza. According to SBS News, Frankcom’s family is still seeking answers nearly two years after the incident.

Frankcom was among seven aid workers who died when their convoy was targeted while they were delivering food to Palestinians in April 2024. The Israeli government labeled the event a “tragic incident” and attributed it to “misidentification”. During a National Press Club address, Newman emphasized that while the strikes were deemed unintentional, they still represented a tragedy for Israel.

As the anniversary of Frankcom’s death approaches, her brother, Mal, is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to demand justice and press for the release of crucial audio footage from the incident. Independent MP Zali Steggall criticized the lack of an apology, calling it “inexcusable” and urging the ambassador to reach out to the family.

The family and Steggall assert that the initial Israeli inquiry into the incident was inadequate and did not include the audio evidence necessary to establish the motives behind the strikes. An independent investigation led by retired Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin was initiated by Australia, which reportedly had access to drone footage but lacked the accompanying audio track.

Newman stated that reparations would depend on the outcome of ongoing investigations, while acknowledging the challenges faced by the Military Advocate General’s office, which is handling the case. Albanese expressed his intention to seek transparency and appropriate action from the Israeli government during his upcoming meeting with Frankcom’s brother.