NEWSLINE PAPER,- Overseeing Israel's inquiry into the recent airstrikes that regrettably killed Australian citizen Zomi Frankcom and six of her colleagues from World Central Kitchen, Australia has designated a special advisor.
Former Defence Force Chief retired Air Chief Marshall Mark Binskin will assume this important position, as Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced on Monday. Binskin will immediately interact with Israel and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Wong stressed, to guarantee a comprehensive inquiry into the attack.
According to Wong, the aim of this appointment is to advise the Australian government on possible next actions to guarantee responsibility and openness in the inquiry process. Australia has made it quite evident how it wants complete responsibility for the aid workers' deaths.
"The appointment of ACM Binskin will ensure the family of Zomi Frankcom, and the Australian people can have confidence in this process," Wong said.
Frankcom and her colleagues, who were of many nationalities—a Palestinian, three Britons, a Pole, and a dual US-Canadian national—were killed in the catastrophic attack on April 1. The terrible miscalculation was acknowledged by the Israeli military as a "grave mistake" brought on by misidentification. A top commander was reprimanded and two senior officers were fired as a result.
The event has prompted a request for an impartial, outside investigation of the airstrikes from the nonprofit World Central Kitchen.
Australian commitment to guaranteeing justice and responsibility for the victims and their families is demonstrated by the appointment of Air Chief Marshall Binskin. With this action, hopefully, a comprehensive and open inquiry into this terrible incident will be made possible.