Penny Wong seeks investigation for Gaza paramedic deaths
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called for an investigation into the killing of 15 aid workers in Gaza, but her earlier silence has left Muslim voters dismayed.
Penny Wong
Australia is pushing for a “thorough” investigation into the Israeli military’s killing of 15 humanitarian aid workers after a new video emerged of the shooting in Gaza.
The footage, obtained from one of the victims’ phones, contradicted Israeli accounts that IDF troops opened fire because they were approached “suspiciously” by vehicles without lights and sirens.
The video shows a convoy of marked ambulances using their emergency lights coming under fire without warning.
Paramedics can be heard praying in their harrowing final moments.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said those responsible for the attack must be held to account.
“The deaths of humanitarian workers in Gaza are unacceptable,” a spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday.
“Aid workers must be protected and Australia repeats its call on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law. It is appropriate that there is a thorough and independent investigation.”
Israel says it has announced an investigation into the incident to be undertaken by the Israeli military.
Labor is facing a backlash in some traditionally safe electorates, such as Watson in western Sydney, where Muslim voters are threatening to abandon the party over a perceived failure to call out Israeli war crimes.
Mariam Tomahy, a member of Teachers and School Staff for Palestine, said Senator Wong’s calls for an investigation were too little, too late, given the earlier silence from the government about the killing, which happened in March.
“It’s a very slow response and we expect a lot more from our government,” she told AAP.
“We consider these kinds of statements as lip service, to be honest.”
The coalition has remained silent on the killing of aid workers in Gaza.
For many Muslim voters, the prospect of a Peter Dutton-led government is even worse than another term of Labor.
But Ms Tomahy hoped the backlash would at least scare Labor into action.
By: Jacob Shteyman/AAP
Couldn’t agree more, Ruth Coleman. Penny Wong is smugly arrogant and in actuality has no idea of war in its full context. Of course, the deaths will be investigated. But if Wong thinks for one moment that the IDF are into purposely attacking ambulances or aid vehicles, all it does is show her ignorance. Her emphasis on aid in this war is frankly ridiculous. Which other war historically has a defending country supplying daily aid to the enemy’s population? Wong has no business to demand or suggest anything. It’s Israel’s affair.
Who does Penny Wong think she is to use our money to investigate a bombing in Gaza. What did she do about investigating when Hamas ambushed Israelis killing babies and adults and taking hostages? She’s an absolute joke!