CANBERRA — Australia's government strongly condemned Israel's decision to close its investigation into the April 2024 killing of aid workers, including Australian Zomi Frankcom, without pursuing criminal proceedings.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the outcome an "outrage" on Thursday, saying Israel's decision "falls far short of the accountability that we expect and consistently called for on behalf of Australia."
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said relations with Israel are currently "difficult." She said Australia had imposed sanctions on Israeli ministers and entities engaged in settler violence in response to the broader diplomatic tensions.
Wong called in Israel's ambassador to Australia to register Australia's objections, and Australia's ambassador to Israel delivered the same message to Israeli officials.
Despite the strong condemnation, Wong indicated the government would not expel Israel's ambassador. She said removing the ambassador "would remove our ability to be able to engage, press for Australia's interests," and that the government intended to maintain diplomatic channels.
The aid workers were killed in April 2024 when their convoy was struck by an Israeli air strike in Gaza. Wong said Frankcom was killed "not on the first strike, but in the context of three separate strikes."
