AFP to probe treatment of Australian flotilla activists
An independent investigation could be held into the detention of almost a dozen Australians taken by Israel while trying to deliver aid to war-torn Gaza.
Federal police have left the door open to investigating allegations a group of Australians were kidnapped, tortured and raped by Israeli authorities while they were trying to deliver aid to Gaza.
Australian members of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla arrive at Sydney airport (x.com)
Eleven Australians took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza in May when they were detained in international waters, before being imprisoned and eventually deported from Israel.
Members of the group claim they experienced violence, sexual assault and abuse while in the custody of the Israelis.
Some of the Australian participants met with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and senior members of the Australian Federal Police on Monday afternoon at Parliament House.
During the meeting, they pressed for commitments from the federal government, including the expulsion of Israel’s ambassador to Australia.
Juliet Lamont, who alleges she was raped by an Israeli soldier, said the AFP representatives in attendance agreed to an independent investigation into their allegations.
“She (Senator Wong) said she believed us,” Ms Lamont told reporters following the meeting.
“You could hear a pin drop in there. It was harrowing. It was acutely emotional.
“Every woman that was there, and I think it was maybe 10, they all believed us and came up to us at the end and thanked us for sharing our harrowing testimony, said that we were really brave and want to support us in the investigations.”
An AFP spokesperson said the organisation had begun inquiries into allegations made by a representative of the group.
“The AFP engages with a victim-centric, trauma-informed approach,” the spokesperson said.
“The AFP will provide an update at an appropriate time.”
Senator Wong has previously told parliamentary hearings she believed the testimonies of the Australian activists.
Neve O’Connor, who participated in the flotilla, said the group wanted to see “strong accountability”.
“We would like to see a government that acts on behalf of their Australian citizens who have been abused, tortured, and raped, and actually act on our benefits,” she said.
The group said they were “absolutely appalled” at the consular assistance they received when they arrived in Istanbul from Israel.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attracted global condemnation after he posted a video of himself taunting detained activists as they knelt on the ground with their hands zip-tied behind their backs.
Israel has strongly denied allegations of mistreatment, abuse or sexual violence against activists detained during the interception of Global Sumud Flotilla vessels in 2026.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its orders require “respectful and appropriate treatment of flotilla participants on the intercepted vessels, and there are clear and established procedures in this regard.” It added that no specific incidents of deviation from these procedures were known and that any concrete complaints would be examined thoroughly.
The Israeli Prison Service dismissed the claims as “false and entirely without factual basis”, saying all detainees were held in accordance with the law.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry described the flotilla as a provocation and “PR stunt” aimed at serving Hamas rather than delivering genuine humanitarian aid. Officials said forces used non-lethal means where necessary and that no protesters were injured during the operations.
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By: Tess Ikonomou/AAP with JWire
