Wednesday, September 9, 2026 - Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Israeli Embassy in Canberra demanding the expulsion of Israel’s ambassador after Israeli authorities declined to pursue criminal charges over the 2024 killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six other humanitarian workers in Gaza.
Demonstrators called for justice for Frankcom and an independent investigation into the strike that killed the World Central Kitchen team.
Frankcom, 43, and her colleagues were killed on April 1, 2024, when Israeli drones struck three clearly marked vehicles belonging to their humanitarian convoy.
The Israeli military later acknowledged operational failures but recently concluded that there was no reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct, meaning no criminal proceedings would be pursued.
Australia has strongly criticized that decision, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong saying it falls far short of the accountability Canberra expects.
The Canberra protest has increased pressure on the Australian government to take tougher action against Israel. Protesters are demanding an independent Australian investigation, the expulsion of Ambassador Hillel Newman and stronger measures over the protection of humanitarian workers.
The demonstration comes as Canberra considers additional sanctions linked to Israel’s policies in the West Bank, adding further strain to Australia-Israel relations and intensifying debate over how Australia should respond to the war in Gaza.
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