Australian Gaza Flotilla Protesters Arrested by Israel Allege of ‘Humiliating’ Treatment

Aussie campaigners detained in Israel have described enduring what they call “demeaning and insulting conditions” after their arrest onboard a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza.

One detainee, Surya McEwen, claimed he was slapped and experienced a dislocated arm and had his head slammed into the ground.

Health Concerns and Prison Environment

A second participant, Lamont, voiced serious concern about her well-being, saying she was at danger of stroke after her prescription drugs were seized by authorities.

She described the prison environment as “dystopian” and added that her request for additional drugs had not been fulfilled.

McEwen and Lamont are among a group of Aussies verified by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to have been detained in Israel.

Officials stated they are offering support to the detainees, including through in-person visits.

Allegations of Unsafe Conditions

They are being held in a maximum-security facility in the desert region and allege that they and other detainees were given water that was undrinkable due to a foul odor.

He informed Australian officials that he had been held in a cage with dozens of individuals without food or water, while being subjected to abuse from Israeli officials.

Lamont stated that upon arriving Ketziot prison, she was escorted to a room with female detainees and berated by officials, who called them “militants”.

Interception and Handling Details

McEwen, aged 40, and Lamont, in her fifties, were arrested on last week when their vessels were intercepted by the Israeli navy.

They were part of the international aid mission comprising dozens of boats and hundreds of participants, including parliamentarians, lawyers, and activists.

Australian representatives visited the detained Australians on Friday.

Based on a account seen by sources, he detailed “degrading and humiliating treatment” after being transferred to the port of Ashdod.

He explained that his spirits was low due to restriction of rest and threatening conduct from Israeli prison guards.

Relatives Worries and Health Problems

His mother, Jacinta McEwen, a former nurse, expressed she had been contacting authorities for regular information and was concerned about the “intense” situation her son was facing.

“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 remarked.

She believed her son’s deportation was being hindered because he refused to sign a document admitting he had entered Israel illegally.

The flotilla argues it was wrongfully stopped by the Israeli navy in international waters.

He also told officials that authorities had destroyed pages of his passport because it was electronically embedded.

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

Differences in Detainment Accounts

While he stated his arrest on board the Mia Mia was executed with minimal force, she – sailing on a different ship – described a “humiliating” experience.

Lamont claimed her hands were bound behind her back, she was targeted with a water cannon, and was made to sit in an unventilated area with her hands tied and clothes drenched for an extended period.

During this time, she reported her head was forcibly pushed by officials.

Detention Environment and Medical Effects

Both are being detained in the facility, which is primarily used to hold inmates, many of whom authorities accuses of involvement in militant or terrorist activities.

After consular staff visited her, they noted she was “emotionally distressed”, weeping repeatedly during the meeting.

The mother of two was reported as feeling thirsty, weak, lightheaded, and disoriented.

She said a official had warned her that tap water was unsafe to drink, and she believed her lack of fluids was worsening her high blood pressure.

On the day of her detainment, after her daily medication was confiscated, she stated a doctor – after measuring her blood pressure – had provided her one dose of medication.

But after Australian officials visited her, they reported she was feeling lethargic, disoriented, and tired, and concerned she was at risk of a health crisis.

Her appeal to see a doctor again had received no response.

Global and Relative Reactions

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

Julie Webb-Pullman of another detained Australian, Bianca Webb-Pullman, stated she had obtained a update from authorities giving a verbal account of their inspection to Ketziot prison.

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

She was also placed in a open area in the heat for five hours with no shade, sustenance.

She added a faucet with contaminated water, meaning she had drunk no or little water in days.

Government Responses

Dfat replied to questions with a message that declared the authorities had “expressed to Israeli officials the need for detainees to be treated humanely according to global standards”.

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

Media outlets contacted detention authorities, the Israel Defense Forces, the foreign office, and the diplomatic mission, but none responded to a request for comment.