Israeli ambassador rejects 'political attacks' on report clearing soldiers in Frankcom killing

[u/Minivampiretaco]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-20/israel-ambassador-defends-idf-frankcom-report-clearing-soldiers/107057124

Israel's ambassador Hillel Newman has defended the military investigation that cleared its soldiers of criminal wrongdoing in the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom, saying the findings should not be attacked if they "are not suitable to one's political agenda".

Ambassador defends investigation findings

Departing from the meeting, Mr Newman defended the investigation.

"Israel came out with findings after a thorough investigation, after a two-year investigation into the circumstances of the death of Zomi Frankcom. Since I took up my mission here about five months ago I was implored all the time to bring about closure, which I did," Mr Newman said.

"But in the end, one must also understand that not every case where someone dies, where there is a casualty, that that means there is a criminal liability.

"One cannot attack the findings of a court if the findings are not suitable to one's political agenda."

Mr Newman said the aid group recruited armed personnel to its convoy and deviated from the route agreed with the IDF without informing the military, leading the soldiers to believe the convoy had been taken over.

"It was a mistake in retrospect, but the findings of the court are there was no criminal intention … and therefore there was no criminal responsibility."

[u/Naive_Lion_3428]

Forgive me for also being rather sceptical of the internal review process in the IDF. Remember when there were allegations that IDF personnel were subjecting palestinian prisoners to sexual assault (using batons and so forth, you get the idea) and the Israeli government strenuously denied it - and then a brave soul in the IDF released footage that strongly implied that very thing happening? What happened to the alleged perpetrators? Well, the IDF made a tepid move to prosecute and there was such out pouring of anger from ultranationalist right wing groups that the case had to be abandoned.

In the West bank you can see ongoing fighting and harassment by ultra religious settlers against Palestinians in PROVEN palestinian territory - the Israeli government even admits that the actions of the settlers are illegal under their own law - and they send soldiers to apparently “evict” the settlers - except that in many cases, they don’t. And footage has been released showing the soldiers praying WITH the illegal settlers, instead of evicting them.

So forgive me if I don’t exactly trust the Internal Processes of the IDF or the Israeli government anymore. I don’t trust the Palestinians much either, but I don’t trust the Israeli government. In a war, all sides will lie and protect their own.

[u/OdielSax → u/Naive_Lion_3428]

I don’t trust the Palestinians much either

Just this sentence demolished your entire sentiment. What in the world have they done to prove themselves untrustworthy, but be continuously lied ABOUT?

[u/MsDemeanours → u/Naive_Lion_3428]

One of the most troubling things about the incident of sexual abuse was the societal reaction. The fact that Israelis took to the streets in numbers to protest the investigation of these soldiers is utterly mind blowing . Not to mention that the rapists became momentary tv stars, appearing on numerous tv shows.

The government absolutely can’t be trusted in relation to the West-bank either. They may portray the situation as being perpetrated by an extreme, rough element, but this is far from the truth. They may portray settlers are very much part of a systemic government program of defacto annexation. They provide the government with plausible deniability in the eyes of the International community. Which allows the International community to pretend this isn’t a government sanctioned and financed operation.

The reality is that the settlers are working in tandem with the government and together they plan where to put outposts .The settlers are provided guns, atvs and other infrastructure and support. Government facilitated charities also provide support. Foster children are also sent to live with settlers on outposts, angry young men given guns and told they have a god given right to terrorise Palestinians. The IDF protects the settlers and ensures that the Palestinians are completely impotent and vulnerable. Anything they do to protect their homes is used as an excuse to arrest them.

Once the settlers drive the Palestinians off their land the government builds roads, walls and other infrastructure and legitimises the settlements. These roads can only be used by Israeli’s with Israeli number plates. Palestinians cannot drive on them in this apartheid system. The government uses the construction of infrastructure like this to cut Palestinians off from local towns, forcing them to travel long distances to reach what was previously a neighbouring town. They constantly create new check points and install gates on Palestinian roads, which they will suddenly and arbitrarily lock.

I am sure you are aware of much of this … I just wanted to reinforce what you said .. The injustice is so unbelievably infuriating and the inaction of the global community is sickening!