Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says it is “a matter for Israel” whether it fully co-operates with special adviser Mark Binskin.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says it is “a matter for Israel” whether it fully co-operates with special adviser Mark Binskin.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Asked if he was “directly challenging[Israel’s] mistaken identification explanation”,Albanese said:“That is something that Mark Binskin will examine and he will have the capacity to do that.”

The prime minister,whose criticisms of Israel’s military actions have sharpened since Frankcom’s death,said it was “a matter for Israel” whether Binskin would be granted clearance to review sensitive military information.

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Israel has not yet responded to Australia’s request for a special adviser to monitor the probe,a movedescribed by analysts as an unprecedented unilateral action in response to the conduct of a nation with which Australia enjoys friendly ties.

Dutton has faced questions about the Coalition’s steadfast backing of Israel in the face of a rising civilian death toll in Gaza,but the opposition continued to argue Albanese’s actions were driven by internal politics within the Labor Party.

Former Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin,seen in a file picture,is to review Israel’s probe into last week’s drone attack that led to the death of Australian Zomi Frankcom.

Former Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin,seen in a file picture,is to review Israel’s probe into last week’s drone attack that led to the death of Australian Zomi Frankcom.Credit:ADF

“What the prime minister is doing here in appointing Mark Binskin is not hoping for some discovery of a silver bullet or something that’s being hidden by the Israelis,” Dutton said.

“What the prime minister is doing here is trying to find a pathway through what’s obviously a torn ALP. The caucus of the Australian Labor Party is split at the moment,and frankly,the prime minister’s response to people who are living in fear in Jewish communities in our country at the moment has been deplorable.”

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Albanese said it was appropriate that Israel’s defence force was held to a higher standard than Hamas,a listed terrorist organisation that prompted the war after its October 7 attacks and capturing of yet-to-be-released hostages.

“Democratic nations have different responsibilities. They have responsibilities to comply with international law and that is what we expect of Israel,” Albanese said.

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