Australians detained while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza have described brutal treatment, allegedly at the hands of Israeli forces.
Eleven Aussies, including Newcastle’s Zack Schofield, who were among 400 flotilla participants detained in international waters have begun returning home after they were imprisoned and deported from Israel.
Still clad in the prison tracksuits they were allegedly beaten in, seven of the cohort arrived at Sydney Airport on Monday 25 May to a hero’s welcome, with supporters cheering and chanting.
After hugging loved ones, the activists spoke to reporters, describing harrowing experiences while in custody in Israel.
“I was dragged into a darkened container on a prison boat, I was sexually assaulted, I was beaten – and that was just the beginning of four days of absolute hell,” Juliet Lamont said.
“I’ve looked into the eyes of the most soulless people in the universe… and nothing came back.”
Sam Woripa Watson was the third flotilla member to be processed on a prison ship, and the last to board the plane.
His fractured rib and bruises were the least of his worries, he said.
“The worst thing was being there the whole time and seeing and listening to my friends being punched and kicked and tasered and shot with beanbag bullets and stun grenades,” he added.
Neve O’Connor alleged she was repeatedly kneed in the spine by Israeli authorities while her hands were held behind her back.
She said three men stomped on her wrists and stomach as they laughed in her face.
However, she said pain had been inflicted on Palestinians for much longer.
“When you listen to my story, think not about my pain, but those of the Palestinians,” Ms O’Connor said.
“For decades and generations, they’ve been shouldering the brunt of their resilience and their perseverance alone.
“Now the world is waking up.”
The Israeli Defence Force’s bombardment and starvation of Gaza have apparently killed more than 72,000 people and destroyed the territory’s infrastructure.
A large contingent of supporters – including family, friends and federal senators – greeted the returning activists with rapturous applause and chants of “free, free Palestine”.
Flotilla member Surya McEwen ran into his mother’s arms, while Mr Schofield embraced his parents and partner.
The spotlight fell on this most recent flotilla after Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, posted a video of himself taunting detainees as they knelt with their heads on the ground and their hands zip tied behind their backs.
The video drew widespread condemnation and led the Australian government to call in Israel’s ambassador.
Federal minister Mark Butler said the government had “in the strongest possible terms” raised its concerns both in Australia and Israel.
“The treatment of those Australians and people from many other countries as well has been disgraceful,” he told ABC.
However, the activists have urged the government to take stronger action and sanction Israel.
“Anthony Albanese continues to be a friend to Israel, no matter how many Palestinians or Australians or humanitarian volunteers Israel’s soldiers break,” Mr Schofield said.
“When our government continues to call this state our ally, how can any of us be proud to be Australians?”
Israel’s foreign ministry has labelled the flotilla a “provocation for the sake of provocation” and has denied the participants’ allegations of abuse.
Members of the aid delegation are speaking with lawyers about their experience.
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