The UK, Australia and Canada condemned Israel on Friday for its decision not to launch a criminal investigation into a deadly 2024 attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy. The three governments described the decision as "shameful" in a joint statement.
The governments noted that "announcing this decision on World Humanitarian Action Day was particularly offensive" and added that they had spent more than two years pressing Israel to examine the attack and hold those responsible accountable. "This decision is both inadequate and overdue. The victims of this incident and their families deserve justice and accountability, and we will continue to seek answers on their behalf," they stated.
Poland stepped up diplomatic pressure on Thursday evening by summoning Israel's ambassador. Polish humanitarian worker Damian Soból was one of seven people killed in the attack. Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it "does not accept the evasion of legal and moral responsibility by those responsible" and noted that prosecutors in Przemyśl continue investigating the matter. Warsaw also demanded that Israel provide "all necessary clarifications and materials" requested by Polish investigators.
Israeli drones attacked the World Central Kitchen convoy on 1 April 2024 while it was delivering food to civilians in Gaza, killing three British nationals, one Australian, Soból, a dual US-Canadian citizen and a Palestinian. The Israeli Defence Forces described the attack at the time as a serious error and failure, and promised a thorough investigation.
In closing the case this week, the IDF said it determined "no reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct that would justify opening a criminal investigation or taking further action against any of those involved in the incident".
"Partnership requires mutual respect," Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski wrote on X on Thursday evening. He warned that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the lack of accountability for the IDF's "excessive use of force" were undermining public support "even in pro-Israel nations".
