"Israel" accused of abusing Australian activists from Gaza flotilla
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Australian activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla say Israeli guards beat, humiliated, and deprived them of sleep before their release and deportation to Jordan.
Australian activists detained by Israeli authorities after the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla were beaten, humiliated, and subjected to harsh treatment while in custody, ABC News reported, citing summaries prepared by Australian diplomats.
According to the report, seven Australian citizens were among hundreds of activists detained when the flotilla, which was sailing to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, was intercepted by the Israeli navy on October 2.
The Australians have since been released and deported to Jordan, following complaints to diplomats about serious mistreatment in detention.
Reports of physical and psychological abuse
Diplomatic summaries cited by ABC said prison guards kicked and slapped detainees, deprived them of sleep, and confiscated their medications. Some prisoners were forced to endure humiliating acts, with one detainee reportedly ordered to “dance like a monkey.”
While a few activists said they were not physically harmed, they described their treatment as psychologically degrading.
The reports also noted that Israeli officials played videos of events of October 7, 2023 on loudspeakers on "repeat" in Ketziot Prison where the activists were held.
Global reaction to the flotilla interception
The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of over 40 vessels and hundreds of international activists from the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the United States, had set sail to challenge the naval blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian supplies.
On October 2, the Israeli navy intercepted the flotilla about 120 kilometers off Gaza’s coast, redirecting the ships to the port of Askalan (Ashdod). Activists were detained before being deported to their home countries.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry described the flotilla as a provocation intended to generate negative publicity against "Israel", while participants maintained that their mission was entirely humanitarian and aimed at breaking Gaza’s long-standing siege.
'Israel' detaining Greta Thunberg in 'harsh' conditions: The Guardian
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has reportedly described severe mistreatment while being detained by Israeli forces following the hijacking of the humanitarian flotilla she was on while headed toward Gaza.
According to correspondence obtained by The Guardian, Thunberg informed Swedish officials that she has been subjected to degrading conditions in detention, including being held in a cell infested with bedbugs and denied sufficient food and water.
An email sent by Sweden’s Foreign Ministry to individuals close to Thunberg and reviewed by The Guardian quoted a Swedish official who visited the activist in prison. The official confirmed that Thunberg "spoke of dehydration," adding that "she has received insufficient amounts of both water and food" and "developed rashes suspected to be caused by bedbugs."
The activist also said she was forced to sit "for long periods on hard surfaces" and described the overall treatment as harsh.
Another detainee reportedly told embassy officials that Thunberg had been forced to hold flags while photos were taken by Israeli personnel, though the specific flags remain unidentified.
Adding to the accounts of abuse, Ersin Celik, a Turkish journalist and participant in the Global Sumud Flotilla, told reporters that "they dragged little Greta (Thunberg) by her hair before our eyes, beat her, and forced her to kiss the Israeli flag. They did everything imaginable to her, as a warning to others."
