Gaza aid flotilla activists meets with Wong, demand apology from Israel ambassador
The Australian Federal Police have launched an investigation into harrowing allegations that pro-Palestinian activists were subjected to sexual abuse and brutality by Israeli forces after trying to deliver aid to Gaza.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong met with four Global Sumud flotilla participants in Canberra on Monday afternoon, as well as senior AFP officials, Foreign Office officials and International Development Minister Anne Aly.
Activists submitted a dossier of allegations of ill-treatment, including allegations of rape, kidnapping and torture, while he was detained by Israel last month.
Wong said he believed the women’s allegations during hearings earlier this month, according to Senate estimates, but Israel denied it.
“They have committed to conducting an independent investigation into our allegations of abduction, harassment, rape and torture,” activist Juliet Lamont told reporters after the meeting.
“You couldn’t[hear] A needle fell there. “It was sad, extremely emotional.”
When asked how Wong reacted to the allegations, Lamont replied: “He said he believed us.”
AFP Deputy Commissioner Lesa Gale and deputy commissioner for national security investigations Hilda Sirec attended the meeting.
A federal police spokesman said: “The AFP has begun investigations into allegations made by a representative of the group.
“AFP works with a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach.
“AFP will provide an update at the appropriate time.”
Lamont claimed that while he was detained in Israel, he was sexually assaulted, beaten, tied to wires and had so much water thrown in his face that he thought he would drown.
Lamont claimed that one of the soldiers raped her after pulling down her pants and underwear, and that other activists shoved a gun into them.
“They made it abundantly clear that they were going to launch an investigation,” Patrick Keyzer, the father of one of the activists, told the AFP.
Keyzer, who attended the meeting, noted that the federal police have experience investigating crimes committed outside Australia.
A spokesman for Wong said: “Minister Wong has raised these allegations repeatedly and made clear directly to Israel that Australia expects an independent, transparent investigation.”
The Israeli embassy described the activists as “professional agitators” trying to damage Israel’s reputation.
“At this time, no credible evidence has been provided to the Israeli Embassy indicating that any of the flotilla participants were sexually assaulted,” the embassy said in a statement earlier this month.
“Such claims are unfounded and appear to be aimed at furthering the broader smear campaign of provocateurs against Israel.
“As with any serious allegation, establishing guilt requires a formal complaint, a thorough investigation, and must be supported by credible evidence, not media interviews and hearsay.”
Activists said they were disappointed that Wong had indicated he would not meet the government’s other demands, including the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and an end to the supply of Australian-made military components to the Israeli army.
