But opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham defended Israel for demonstrating “some action and some accountability” by investigating the aid workers’ deaths and refusing to say whether international law was breached.
Husic’s comments come after Israel announced late on Friday that two Israeli officers werebeing stood down from their positions and disciplinary action was being taken against two commanding officers,following an investigation.
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The review found the killings had occurred after Israeli troops mistakenly concluded Hamas gunmen were travelling with the World Central Kitchen charity convoy. It found the operation was “carried out in serious violation of the commands and IDF standard operating procedures”.
In response,Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Saturday said Australia was pressing Israel for further action and would appoint an a special adviser to ensure the investigation by Israel was conducted in a manner consistent with the Australian government’s expectations.
Husic’s criticism carries additional weight as he is the most senior member of the Albanese government who is a Muslim. His comments underscore the growing frustration within Labor with the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“It would be the easiest route to use the bad apples defence here,that it was a couple of people that operated outside of policy. All you’ve had at this point is two people stood down and a general reprimanded,” Husic told Sky News.