Shoebridge criticises Labor response after IDF officer’s ‘reprehensible’ comments on deadly Zomi Frankcom strike
Summary
A former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer responsible for a deadly strike on an aid convoy delivering food to Gaza said he would repeat the attack, claiming the victims were not innocent. Australia’s Greens party criticized the government for not taking stronger actions like stopping military exports and imposing sanctions, while leaders from aid groups and Australia’s foreign minister condemned the statements.Key Facts
- The aid convoy, run by World Central Kitchen (WCK), was attacked in Gaza in April 2024, killing Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six others.
- Nochi Mendel, former IDF reserve colonel, ordered the strike and said he would do it again.
- Mendel claimed the aid workers were not innocent because they were linked to Hamas, a militant group.
- An Israeli military investigation found the attack was a serious mistake and removed Mendel from his job.
- Israel’s advocate general decided not to press criminal charges related to the strike.
- Australia’s foreign affairs minister Penny Wong called Mendel’s remarks disgraceful.
- The Greens’ spokesperson David Shoebridge criticized the Australian government for not acting with sanctions or stopping military sales to Israel.
- José Andrés, WCK founder, said the organization is neutral and humanitarian, opposing Mendel’s claim otherwise.
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