Australian Gaza flotilla activists deported after alleging abuse by Israeli authorities
A statement from the global movement for Gaza on Monday alleged systematic abuse of detainees, including sleep deprivation, denial of food or water and suspected poisoned or drugged water fed to the Australian cohort. The statement also claimed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade had confirmed “threats of sexual abuse, dislocated arm, head hitting concrete.”
The global move to Gaza refused to provide re-summaries of detainees’ reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The department did not respond to questions about the detainees’ allegations, instead saying before their release: “Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials are providing consular assistance to seven Australians detained in Israel.”
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg in Athens after being deported by Israel.Credit: A.P.
“We know this is a distressing time for them and their loved ones. Our authorities are doing everything they can to support them, including face-to-face visits. We have made clear to Israel our expectation that detainees will receive humane treatment in accordance with international norms,” he said.
Parents and family members of the detainees held a press conference in Ballina in Northern NSW on Tuesday morning. Surya McEwen’s mother, Jacinta McEwen, said her son was “incarcerated in an Israeli prison after being kidnapped in international waters.”
“I was absolutely shocked by that prime minister [Anthony] “She didn’t even contact me as her mother, she didn’t say anything about it,” Albanian and Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.
“Even this morning there is talk of October 7th [Hamas attacks]but there is no mention of our Australian citizens, our sons and daughters who are in prison, in a terrible prison and mistreated. ”
Hamish Paterson’s mother, Judy Paterson, said it was “very sad” to go into the specifics of how her son was treated.
“He wants this to be a kinder world, so our government is not talking and acting and our prime minister is Anthony Alban, our local member Justine Elliot is calling for Senator Wong, I am calling for his release and other Australians so they can come home,” he said.
In a post on Social Media Platform
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“All legal rights of the participants in this PR stunt have been fully vindicated. Do not believe the fake news they are spreading,” the Post said. A separate statement on Monday said the allegations of mistreatment were “brazen lies” and that all rights of detainees were “fully supported”.
Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir mocked the detained squadron crew members and called them terrorists. The minister also toured the flotilla of boats, claiming that they were not actually carrying humanitarian aid.
“These are terrorists, these are terrorists. They are terrorists. Look at them, supporters of the murderers. By the way, their boats have become a big mess, they didn’t really come for the flotilla or help, but they came for Gaza,” Ben-Gvir said to the detainees.
