Australian Gaza Flotilla Activists Allege Abuse Following Deportation from Israel
BALLINA,NSW - Family members of australian activists detained and deported after participating in a Gaza-bound flotilla are speaking out,alleging mistreatment while in Israeli custody and criticizing the australian government’s response. The activists were part of a larger group attempting to deliver aid to Gaza when thay were intercepted by Israeli forces.
Jacinta McEwen, mother of detainee Surya McEwen, stated her son was “incarcerated in prison in Israel after being abducted in international waters.” She expressed shock that Prime Minister Anthony albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong had not contacted her directly regarding her son’s situation. ”even this morning, there’s mention of October 7 [Hamas attacks], but there is no mention of our Australian citizens, our sons and daughters, who are in prison, in a horrible prison and being maltreated,” she said at a press conference in Ballina, northern NSW, on Tuesday.
Judy Paterson, mother of Hamish Paterson, described the situation as “too upsetting” to detail specifics of her son’s treatment, but implored Australian leaders to secure his release and the release of other Australian detainees. “He wants this to be a kinder world, so he has gone over there to act because our government wasn’t speaking up and acting and I’m imploring our Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Senator Wong, our local member, Justine Elliot, to secure his release and all the other Australians so they can come home,” she said.
The israeli Foreign Ministry responded to reports of detained activists, including those from Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, via social media platform X, stating, “Israel is keen to have all the participants of this provocation deported as quickly as possible, but some of them deliberately chose to prolong the legal deportation process, preferring to linger in Israel.” The ministry asserted that “all the legal rights” of the detainees were being upheld and dismissed claims of mistreatment as “brazen lies.”
Video footage emerged of Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting detained flotilla crew members, labeling them “terrorists” and claiming the boats did not carry humanitarian aid. “These are the flotilla terrorists…supporters of the killers,” Ben-Gvir was filmed saying.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement acknowledging the situation, saying, “We know this is a distressing time for them and for their loved ones. Our officials are doing everything they can to support them, including thru in-person visits. We have made clear to Israel our expectation that detainees will receive humane treatment in line with international norms.”
