Aussie Gaza Flotilla Activists Detained by Israel Complain of ‘Degrading’ Conditions

Australian activists detained in Israel have described experiencing what they call “demeaning and insulting conditions” after their arrest aboard a humanitarian convoy carrying aid to Gaza.

An activist, Surya McEwen, stated he was struck and suffered a shoulder injury and had his head slammed into the ground.

Medical Worries and Detention Environment

A second activist, Lamont, expressed serious concern about her health, stating she was at risk of stroke after her daily medication were confiscated by authorities.

She portrayed the detention facility as “oppressive” and noted that her request for more medication had not been met.

The two activists are among a group of Aussies confirmed by Australian officials to have been detained in Israel.

Authorities mentioned they are offering consular assistance to the individuals, including through in-person visits.

Allegations of Unsafe Facilities

They are being detained in a high-security prison in the Negev desert and assert that they and other detainees were offered water that was contaminated due to a foul odor.

He told Australian officials that he had been kept in a enclosure with dozens of individuals without sustenance, while being exposed to verbal attacks from authorities.

She reported that upon reaching the detention center, she was escorted to a room with female detainees and berated by guards, who labeled them “terrorists”.

Interception and Handling Details

The care worker, in his forties, and Lamont, in her fifties, were detained on last week when their Gaza-bound ships were intercepted by the Israeli navy.

They were part of the international aid mission comprising 42 vessels and hundreds of participants, including parliamentarians, legal experts, and activists.

Australian representatives met with the Aussie detainees on the following day.

According to a report reviewed by sources, McEwen detailed “abusive and insulting behavior” after being transferred to the port of Ashdod.

He stated that his spirits was poor due to restriction of rest and physical intimidation from detention staff.

Relatives Concerns and Medical Problems

McEwen’s parent, Jacinta McEwen, a healthcare professional, expressed she had been calling Dfat for daily updates and was worried about the “intense” situation her son was experiencing.

“If he’s got a dislocated shoulder and he’s had a head injury and he hasn’t received any medical aid, I’m worried about that,” she stated.

She believed her son’s return was being delayed because he refused to sign a form admitting he had breached immigration laws.

The flotilla argues it was wrongfully stopped by the Israeli navy in open sea.

He also told representatives that Israeli soldiers had destroyed pages of his passport because it was microchipped.

Both individuals threw their phones into the sea before their arrest.

Differences in Detainment Experiences

Although McEwen said his detainment on board the vessel was carried out with little violence, Lamont – sailing on a different ship – recounted a “humiliating” ordeal.

Lamont alleged her hands were bound behind her back, she was sprayed with a high-pressure hose, and was made to sit in an unventilated area with her hands restrained and clothes soaked for an extended period.

During this time, she said her head was repeatedly shoved down by Israeli forces.

Detention Environment and Health Effects

Both are being detained in the facility, which is mainly utilized to hold inmates, many of whom authorities alleges of engaging in unlawful acts.

After Australian officials met with Lamont, they noted she was “deeply upset”, crying multiple times during the meeting.

The parent was described as feeling thirsty, feeble, dizzy, and disoriented.

Lamont mentioned a guard had warned her that tap water was contaminated, and she believed her dehydration was worsening her high blood pressure.

On the day of her detainment, after her daily medication was confiscated, she stated a physician – after measuring her vitals – had given her a single tablet of medication.

But after representatives visited her, they noted she was feeling weak, confused, and lethargic, and worried she was at danger of stroke.

Her appeal to see a doctor again had gone unanswered.

International and Relative Responses

A representative for Global Movement to Gaza Australia expressed fear that her acquaintance was at risk of succumbing without necessary drugs.

The mother of another Aussie detainee, Bianca Webb-Pullman, stated she had obtained a update from Australian officials giving a summary of their inspection to Ketziot prison.

She described that her child had been subjected to mistreatment, degradation, threats, and was man-handled and shoved.

She was also left in a courtyard in the heat for five hours with no shade, sustenance.

She added a faucet with contaminated water, meaning she had consumed minimal fluids in days.

Official Responses

Dfat responded to questions with a message that declared the authorities had “made clear to Israel our expectation that detainees will receive humane treatment in line with international norms”.

“We again urge Israel to allow continuous, unrestricted humanitarian aid to reach Gaza,” the statement continued.

Media outlets contacted detention authorities, the Israel Defense Forces, the Israeli ministry for foreign affairs, and the Israeli embassy in Australia, but no one replied to a query.