2.5.26 Global Sumud Flotilla Aussies Update ? Australians speak of violence, beatings and sensory deprivation in Israeli detainment
Global Sumud Flotilla Australian Delegation & Rising Tide
Australians speak of violence, beatings and sensory deprivation in Israeli detainment
Australians who were held in Israeli custody for over 30 hours, have spoken out about threats, violence, beatings and abuse.
Six Australians were captured by Israeli Defence Forces in international waters west of Crete at approximately 10am AEST time on Thursday 30th of May, and were released in Crete late last night (AEST time).
The Australians were aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to get life-saving aid to Gaza.
Three Australians Ethan Floyd, Zack Schofield and Neve O'Connor were taken to Sitia General Hospital in Crete for injuries, including concussion, bruising and cuts. Cameron Tribe, Dr Bianca Webb-Pullman and one other, Surya McEwen have also been released, unharmed.
Interview footage of Ethan Floyd, Zack Schofield and Neve O'Connor can be found here.
CONTACT ALEXA STUART 0423 361 030 OR JANE SALMON 0417919354 TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS WITH THE AUSTRALIANS WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED.
173 other global humanitarian volunteers were also released, 30 of whom also went to Sitia hospital for various injuries.
Of huge concern, two leaders of the Global Sumud Flotilla, Thiago Ávila from Brazil, and Saif Abu Keshek from Spain, remain unaccounted for, with Israeli sources indicating they have been taken to Israel.[a]
Ethan Floyd, Sydney student and Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa and Wailwan man who is aboard the flotilla said: “We were transferred to another Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) and taken to a very large Israeli warship. From there we were held again in stress positions for 45 minutes to an hour, made to crawl along the floor before being thrown into an enclosure constructed from shipping containers.
“I witnessed people being shot with rubber pellets. I witnessed people being thrown to the ground, dragged along the ground by their limbs, people being forced to listen to the shouts and screams of people who were being beaten.
“We've been dumped in Greece without consular assistance. We were driven for hours through Crete with the promise that embassy officials would be there to meet with us, and when we arrived, there were none.”
Zack Schofield, climate activist from Newcastle:
“We were surprised that they had gone 600 nautical miles away from Israel, with warships, a prison ship and special operations forces there to seize our boats, to kidnap us, to brutalise us and take us on board a prison ship with absolutely no charges being laid on us.”
“I was forced to sleep outside, and during the night, they flooded the deck with sea water, to wake people up and prevent them from sleeping.”
“The Australian Government has failed to stand up to Israel, despite the fact that Israel constantly violates every single international law that our nation claims to support, and has now just kidnapped six Australian citizens and tortured us because we are trying to get food to the people of Gaza.”
“Australians need to be really, really concerned that if we let Israel get away with these crimes with impunity, we are setting up such a dangerous world for ourselves.”
Neve O’Connor (from Melbourne):
“We were 600 nautical miles from Israel, and being intercepted was not even on our minds. We saw flares go up. We saw people were sounding the alarms.”
“They threatened to shoot us if we didn't move, and if we didn't comply, they said they would open fire.”
“It was constant brutality and oppression, and then we tried to advocate for our rights, they just laughed at us.”
Senator Larissa Waters, Leader of the Australian Greens said:
“This is yet another shocking breach of international law by Israel. In attempt to prolong its genocide in Gaza, Israel has seemingly kidnapped Australian citizens in international waters.”
“These flotilla participants are bravely trying to bring essential supplies to Palestinians under illegal blockade by Israel, and this act of piracy shows how far the Netanyahu Government will go to ensure the genocide continues.”
“The Australian government should be championing the actions of the brave flotilla participants, and must now strongly fight for them to be released.”
“Labor continues the two-way arms trade with Israel, has not put any sanctions on Netanyahu or his war cabinet, and invites their head of state to tour the country - even as they kidnap and kill Australian citizens.”
“Labor must stop ignoring Israel’s constant breaches of international law."
Flotilla organisers and released Australians are calling a day of action on Monday 4th of May to put pressure on the Australian government to:
- Immediately and publicly condemn Israel for illegally kidnapping and detaining Australian citizens
- End Australia’s complicity in the genocide of Palestine, and support all efforts to deliver life-saving aid to Gaza
- Call for the immediate release of Thiago Ávila and Saif Abukeshek
For live updates see the Instagram accounts of the Global Sumud Flotilla and Australian delegation of the Global Movement to Gaza.
In a video message taken from Sitia hospital in Crete, Neve, Zack and Ethan allege that they were “beaten and tortured” whilst on an Israeli prison ship. They say they are on hunger strike. The full video can be found here.
Two leaders of the Global Sumud Flotilla, Thiago Ávila from Brazil, and Saif Abu Keshek from Spain, remain unaccounted for, with Israeli sources indicating they have been taken to Israel.
Zack Schofield: “Two of our comrades, Thiago and Saif, have been identified as leaders in the movement and remain upon that prison ship. We believe that they are being taken to Israel and likely beaten and tortured. We all three decided not to take any food from the Israelis as they continued their starvation of the Palestinian people, and until we know more about the health and whereabouts of Thiago and Saif we’re also continuing not to eat.”
It is understood that all other 173 global activists were released and are in Crete. Approximately 30 activists are at Sitia hospital after sustaining various injuries. They include: Australia 3, Canada 2, Hungary 1, Netherlands 2, New Zealand 4, Spain 2, Ukraine 1, Germany 2, France 1, Poland 1, UK 2, Colombia 2, Italia 3, USA 3, Portugal 1
Unconfirmed reports are indicating that many of the activists are resisted deportation by plane.
Zack Schofield closed the video with a message for their loved ones: “We want our families to know that we are all well, and free Palestine, that’s why we’re here.”
Families of the released Australians are reporting their distress. Joanne Jarowski, Zack’s mother said: “In the wee hours this morning, we were greatly relieved to get a voice message from our son Zack, one of the 175 hostages held in an Israeli prison ship for two days, to say he was at Sitia Hospital in Crete for medical review. Israeli forces illegally detained him and the other aid volunteers for trying to bring food and medicine to the sick and the starving in Gaza. This is not a crime: in fact, International Humanitarian Law mandates rapid, safe and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians. The *real* crime is keeping aid from civilians who are sick and starving to death.
“Zack was on a borrowed phone, and only had a few seconds to tell us he was in hospital for medical review and that he loves us. We want to know his complete medical assessment, and we really bloody want to know why our government hasn’t publicly condemned the kidnapping of our son and detaining him illegally on international waters - and also, when in heaven’s name our government will break their silence and business-as-usual as the genocide of Palestinians is perpetrated by our so-called ally, Israel.”
Families have been in contact with DFAT where they have been told that Australian Consular support workers are in Greece and attempting to get support to the Australians who have been released.
For live updates see the Instagram accounts of the Global Sumud Flotilla and Australian delegation of the Global Movement to Gaza.
Juliet Lamont, Head of the Australian Delegation, who is organising from ports in Europe: "We are relieved our people are free. But let's be clear about what happened — Israel abducted unarmed humanitarian volunteers to stop aid reaching the people of Gaza."
"Children in Gaza are still starving. Aid is still being blocked. Israel is still killing Palestinians.”
“The Australian Government must support all attempts to ensure food, medicine and baby formula can reach the people of Gaza.”
"We call on Australians to join mass-mobilisations. Apply direct pressure on Wong and Albanese to ensure the safety of our humanitarians and the delivery of their life-saving aid.”
“Let Palestinians Live. Let aid flow. Cut ties with Israel!”
For live updates see the Instagram accounts of the Global Sumud Flotilla and Australian delegation of the Global Movement to Gaza.
Text by Alexa Stuart, Subhi Awad, Jane Salmon for Rising Tide, Global Sumud Flotilla Australian Delegation
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Text by Alexa Stuart, Subhi Awad, Jane Salmon for Rising Tide, Global Sumud Flotilla Australian Delegation
CONTACT ALEXA STUART 0423 361 030 OR JANE SALMON 0417 919 354 TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS WITH THE AUSTRALIANS WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED.
