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By Newzyy Staff — 1h ago
The Israeli Ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, has defended the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) decision not to pursue a criminal investigation into the 2024 strike on an aid convoy. The incident resulted in the deaths of seven people, including Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom.
Despite the IDF's previous acknowledgments of significant procedural failures, mistaken identification, and errors in decision-making that led to the strike, Ambassador Newman affirmed the conclusion. Following a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, he stated that while the deaths were a tragedy, they did not imply criminal liability. He urged respect for the investigative process and its outcomes, irrespective of personal views, and expressed deep sorrow to the affected families, though he avoided offering an apology due to potential legal ramifications.
Meanwhile, Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has announced the establishment of a Royal Commission into the state's construction sector, appointing Christopher Kourakis as commissioner. The commission is mandated to report its findings by August 20, 2027.
Premier Carroll detailed that the inquiry will possess extensive coercive powers and conduct public hearings. He selected Mr. Kourakis for his "unquestionable integrity," "impartiality," and "unfavouring fidelity to the rule of law," with a core mission to ensure the legal system benefits the community. The commission's terms of reference are broad, encompassing the conduct of the CFMEU, various construction companies, labor hire firms, consortia, and criminal actors involved in major Victorian projects. It will also scrutinize the roles of government, its executive branch, departments, and delivery agencies in overseeing these developments.
The Premier clarified that the commissioner will solely determine who is called to testify, with authority to summon current or former ministers, senior officials, union leaders, or company executives.
In Sydney, an incident at a local high school has resulted in one teenage boy being taken into police custody. Another teenage boy was hospitalized with a cut to his abdomen following the event.