The Zionist Federation of Australia acknowledges the findings of Special Adviser Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin’s report following the tragic accidental death of Ms Zomi Franckom.
ACM Binskin’s assessment was “that the IDF strike on the WCK aid workers was not knowingly or deliberately directed against the WCK.”
The Special Envoy confirmed that Israel’s investigation, reporting, disciplinary action, and acceptance of responsibility was timely and appropriate. The report also noted the steps undertaken by Israel in response to the event are in line with the processes of western militaries like the Australian Defence Forces.
President of the ZFA, Jeremy Leibler, said “the findings of the report reaffirm that while the death of Ms Franckom was a tragic accident, the IDF did not and does not target aid workers or any civilians.
Since October 7, Israel has been forced into a war that it did not start to remove Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organisation which has said it wishes to commit such horrors again. In war, tragic accidents happen. Innocent lives could be spared and the war could end tomorrow if Hamas were to surrender and release the remaining hostages.”
ZFA CEO, Alon Cassuto, said “the barbaric attacks committed by Hamas on October 7, and its refusal to lay down its arms, have caused widespread suffering and tragedy, including the deaths of Australians, Galit Carbone and Zomi Franckom.
The Federal Government must apply pressure to Hamas to release the hostages and surrender, rather than to Israel, who as evidenced by this report, have complied and taken accountability for their mistake.”
