Foreign Minister Penny Wong says she has spoken with Israel’s foreign minister Israel Katz, and expressed outrage on behalf of Australia.
Wong said the death of Australian citizen and aid worker Zomi Frankcom was tragic, and the country was in mourning.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“Can I first start by expressing my deepest sympathy and condolences of all Australians to Zomi’s family. Australians are with you, we are mourning with you, and we know that Zomi’s life is a life that was dedicated as service of others, and it is a tragedy what has occurred,” she said.
Wong recounted to ABC’s Radio National Breakfast program that she told Katz that Australia “expects full accountability for these deaths”.
“I said that the death of any aid worker is outrageous, and it is unacceptable,” Wong said.
“We spoke about his intention to ensure that there was a thorough investigation. Israel’s defense minister [Yoav Gallant] said a professional team will investigate what happened, the United States has said that this must be impartial.”
Wong said Israel was losing support and would risk continuing.
“Unless Israel changes course it will continue to lose support and certainly the tragedy that you and I are discussing further damages Israel’s standing,” she said.
“This has been a conflict which has been particularly fatal for aid workers. I know that the UN Secretary General said overnight, some 196 aid workers have been killed in this conflict. This is unacceptable in six months.”