Greens demand sanctions and export halt after ex-IDF officer defends Gaza aid convoy attack
The Greens say the Labor government has been too soft, urging sanctions and a stop to F-35 parts sales after a former IDF officer repeated unapologetic remarks about the strike that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom.
Greens defence spokesman David Shoebridge slammed the Labor government’s muted response to former IDF reserve colonel Nochi Mendel’s repeated assertion that he would repeat the April 2024 attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy, which killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six others. Shoebridge said the remarks echo Israeli policy of collective punishment and demanded material sanctions against members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and an immediate halt to Australian sales of F-35 fighter-jet parts.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong described Mendel’s statements as "utterly disgraceful," and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés denounced them as an "outrageous smear" of humanitarian work. An internal IDF investigation identified procedural mistakes, removed Mendel from his post, and found no criminal misconduct, a conclusion echoed by the former head of the Australian military. Israel’s advocate general also declined to press charges. Shoebridge warned the Albanese government must move beyond words to protect Australian humanitarian workers abroad.
Why it matters
It highlights growing pressure on Australia to curb arms exports and hold parties accountable after a deadly aid convoy strike.
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