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Key Points
- The Australian investigation into the death of Zomi Frankcom was given access to Israeli drone footage of the deadly attack.
- No audio was provided with the footage shown to the lead investigator, retired Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin.
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong says she requested audio on behalf of Frankcom’s family but has not received a response.
Israel has still not released audio of the footage of the drone strike that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom, despite a request from the Australian government.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said from New York that she has submitted a request for the audio of the family of the in an air raid on April 1.
“I have submitted the request of Zomi Frankcom’s family to my counterpart. I have not received a response yet,” Wong told SBS World News.
Earlier this year, Australia ordered an independent investigation into the circumstances of her death, led by retired Air Force Commander Mark Binskin.
He had no investigative powers, but was able to travel to Israel in May and had access to representatives of the Israel Defense Forces.
The final report concluded that the attack on the aid convoy was “not consciously or intentionally directed at the WCK,” consistent with Israel’s own conclusion that it was a “serious error.”
Air Chief Marshal Binskin was also given access to 90 minutes of raw drone footage, including the World Central Kitchen strike and other strikes, but there was no audio track.
The report described drone footage showing the operator following the convoy before the strike, during the transit period, when the strike took place and afterwards.
Zomi Frankcom’s brother Mal Frankcom expressed his concerns about the missing audio in an interview with the ABC last month.
Mr Frankcom said he was told the audio was in Hebrew and would not be understood, but he still insists there should be a translation or transcription.
The minister confirmed that she also had no access.
“I have not personally listened to the audio,” Senator Wong said.
This week, Senator Wong is on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. after the deadliest year ever recorded.
The death of Zomi Frankcom is central to that quest.
“I am determined to do everything in my power to work with other countries, such as Indonesia, Switzerland and Jordan, who were all present at this meeting yesterday, to take action to comply with and commit to international humanitarian law, including the protection of aid workers,” the minister said.
The Israel Defense Forces has been contacted for comment.
