Australian activists arrested while trying to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza have complained to diplomatic officials of serious mistreatment by Israeli authorities, including physical beatings in a “dystopian” prison environment.
Fresh details have emerged of the experiences Australian members of the Global Sumud Flotilla crew detained by Israeli authorities, as another 171 of the activists were deported — among them Greta Thunberg.
The ABC has obtained redacted summaries of the reports prepared by Australian diplomatic staff in Israel who met with the Australians in custody in the high-security Ketziot prison, near the Israel-Egypt border in the Negev Desert.
Some of the Australians reported the rough treatment from Israeli authorities began after the crews were brought to Ashdod Port in southern Israel, hours after the boats were intercepted in the Mediterranean.
One of the reports, believed to be about Surya McEwen, details alleged abuse he received at the hands of Israeli authorities.
Australian activist Surya McEwen was arrested and detained by Israel as part of a humanitarian flotilla trying to reach Gaza. (Supplied)
It said he had told Australian officials from the country’s embassy in Tel Aviv, visiting the jail last Friday, that crew members had not had their hands zip tied while the group was being taken to land.
After that he said “he was treated much rougher and forcefully, including being slapped, having his arm dislocated and having his head slammed into the ground,” the report said.
It added he also alleged “that he was placed in a large cage with 80 other people for many hours while Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir visited and yelled abuse at them” last Thursday night.
The report recorded concerns Mr McEwen’s passport had been “destroyed”, given he said “Israeli soldiers tore up pages of his passport in front of him while on his vessel” because they said the “passport was microchipped”.Â
Australian holds grave concerns for health
Another of the reports, believed to be regarding Juliet Lamont, outlined allegations she had been “sprayed with a water cannon, and left to sit in an unventilated area with her hands tied and clothes soaked for 7 hours.”
“During this time, she said her head was repeatedly ‘shoved’ down by ISF,” the report for the consular visit on Friday said.
It noted Ms Lamont claimed “a guard had warned her not to drink water from the facility, and clean water was not being offered to her.”
“She was ‘gravely’ concerned about her physical health due to [an] underlying blood pressure condition, and reported feeling dehydrated, weak, dizzy, and confused.”
Greta Thunberg is among the activists who have since been released from Israeli detention. (Reuters: Stefanos Rapanis)
Ms Lamont had “described the prison environment as ‘dystopian’ and was not eating food for fear of being poisoned,” and said her medication had been confiscated.
A follow up visit on Sunday reported she was in better health, and had received her blood pressure medication.
Israeli Foreign Ministry says rights ‘fully upheld’
Another of the detained Australians had complained “the water inside his cell was rancid” and that there was no toilet paper available.
“He advised post that he had been forced to take off all his clothes, undo his hair (which was tied back in a pony tail) and ‘dance like a monkey’ in front of the prison guards,” the DFAT report stated.
Israeli authorities have rejected the allegations presented by Australians in their custody, and others among the crew.
“The claims of the mistreatment of Australians who were on board are complete lies,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry told the ABC.
“Of course, all detainees from the Hamas–Sumud provocation were given access to water, food, and medical care … the detainees were not denied access to bathroom facilities — in fact they have a bathroom facility within the cells.
“All their legal rights, including access to medical care, were fully upheld.”
One Australian detainee alleges to DFAT they were locked in a cage and yelled at by Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. (Pool: Debbie Hill via Reuters)
Allegations detainees shown October 7 attack videos
Video emerged over the weekend of Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir visiting Ashdod Port and the Ketziot jail, where the flotilla crews were being held.
The far-right politician, who has been convicted of terror offences and sanctioned by Australia and other nations for inciting violence against Palestinians, could be seen in the vision branding the activists as “terrorists”.Â
“Look at them, supporters of the killers,” Mr Ben-Gvir said.
“By the way, their boats were a huge mess, they did not really come for the flotilla or aid, but they came for Gaza, for the terrorists.”
The DFAT reports detailed allegations that Israeli officials brought in televisions to the Ketziot prison and played videos of Hamas’ October 7 2023 attacks against Israel “on repeat on loud volume”.Â
That allegation tallies with the last flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces earlier this year, where crews were forced to watch similar videos.
“We are close to Gaza, we can hear the fighter jets flying over,” the detainee told diplomats to tell his brother.
“We are strong and we aren’t scared of these bastards.”
On Monday, DFAT said: “The Australian Government has made clear to Israel our expectation that detainees will receive humane treatment in line with international norms.”