Australian flotilla activists detained by Israel allege physical abuse
More than 170 activists detained by Israel after trying to deliver aid to Gaza claim they have been taunted and subjected to physical and verbal abuse.
The Israeli government is facing accusations of mistreatment, including allegations that some activists were denied access to their lawyers, that Israeli soldiers tore up the passport pages of detainees and that some were denied food and water for long periods.
In a statement, the Australia and New Zealand branch of the Global Movement for Gaza claimed the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) had reached out to the family members of those detained.
The group claimed that DFAT contacted the family of one participant to inform them that he reported being assaulted during the interception of his boat, sustaining injuries to his shoulder and ribs.
It also claimed that DFAT said he was assaulted in prison, slapped in the face, taunted, verbally abused, given dirty water and that his captors kept shouting at him to keep him awake.
DFAT has not confirmed these details.
Surya McEwan, from the NSW Northern Rivers, also reported being assaulted, threatened with sexual assault, and his head had been forcefully struck against a concrete surface, the group said.
A third man said he had also endured physical abuse.
The family of filmmaker Juliet Lamont – also from the Northern Rivers – said they were told that Israeli authorities denied her blood pressure medication, verbally abused her, and “deliberately shouted at her to deprive her of sleep”.
The Australian government confirmed seven Australians were being detained in Israel after trying to break the naval blockade on Gaza.
Late last week, Israeli authorities intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a fleet of more than 40 vessels from at least 44 countries.
The Israeli foreign ministry said the “claims of the mistreatment of Australians who were on board are complete lies” and said all detainees were given access to water and food.
“All their legal rights, including access to medical care, were fully upheld,” it told the ABC.
The Global Movement for Gaza alleged DFAT said some of the Australians were subject to assault during the interception or while in prison, verbal abuse, provided with dirty water, and sleep deprivation.
“Owing to our privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further comment,” DFAT said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong acknowledged this was a “distressing time” for the activists and their loved ones.
“Our officials are doing everything they can to support them, including through in-person visits,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
The flotilla was carrying almost 500 people, including parliamentarians, lawyers, humanitarians, doctors and prominent Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
After being captured by the Israeli Defence Forces, the activists were taken to the high-security Ketziot prison in southern Israel.
More than 170 activists detained have been deported so far, with some arriving back in Spain and Tunisia, and others in Greece and Slovakia.
Human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson – who previously represented Julian Assange – has joined the legal team acting on behalf of six of the Australians.
In a post on virtual communication networks, Ms Robinson said she was “deeply concerned by stories of mistreatment and about their prison conditions”.
Activists allege ‘humiliating’ treatment
On Sunday, activists who arrived in Madrid from Tel Aviv also said they were mistreated by Israeli authorities, including being denied medicine, contact with lawyers and family members, and consular assistance.
Spanish activist Rafael Borrego told Reuters the treatment was “humiliating”.
“At any time that any of us called a police officer [in prison], we risked seven or more fully armed people entering our cell – pointing at us with weapons at our heads, with dogs ready to attack us, and being dragged on the floor,” Mr Borrego said.
Two activists arriving at Istanbul Airport on Saturday alleged Greta Thunberg was mistreated during her detention.
Malaysian citizen Hazwani Helmi said Ms Thunberg had been treated like an “animal”.
Israel’s foreign ministry issued a statement, accompanied by photos of Ms Thunberg at the airport after being deported, saying all activists’ legal rights had been upheld.
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea stipulates that a nation’s territory does not extend beyond 12 nautical miles (19 km) from its shores.
It says authorities may exercise control up to 24 nautical miles (45 km) from land to prevent violation of customs, immigration, fiscal or sanitary laws.
The interceptions of the Australian activists began some 70 nautical miles (130 km) from the shores of Israel and Gaza, according to ABC News.
All flotillas attempting to break the blockade in Gaza have been intercepted or attacked by Israel in international waters since 2010.
Israel has tightly controlled the entry of goods and aid into the Gaza Strip since 2007, restricting access to its coastline.
yogaesoteric
October 7, 2025