Global Sumud Flotilla Activists Say Israeli Forces Abused 430 Detainees, Including Rape

Activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla say that after Israeli forces arrested 430 people onboard 50 ships in international waters on Tuesday to halt the flotilla of volunteers trying to take aid to the Gaza Strip, they were subjected to abuse while held in detention.

“Warning: This story contains details of sexual assault that some readers may find disturbing”

Al Jazeera

The Guardian reports that organisers alleged at least 15 cases of sexual assaults, including rape, and that several activists were hospitalised with injuries.

Al Jazeera

Israel’s prison service denied the allegations, with a spokesperson saying, “The allegations raised are false and entirely without factual basis.”

The BBC likewise said it could not independently verify the allegations, while Israel’s prison service dismissed them as false and held detainees “in accordance with the law” under supervision of prison staff.

Canada said it had received information detailing “appalling abuse” of its citizens, and BBC quoted Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand saying, “Canada unequivocally condemns the grave mistreatment of Canadians in Israel.”

Germany and Spain confirmed that a number of their citizens had injuries, while Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told reporters that four of the 44 Spanish activists had received medical treatment for injuries.

BBC

Israel’s prison service spokesperson told the BBC that detainees were held “in accordance with the law,” and the Israeli military told the BBC its orders “require respectful and appropriate treatment of flotilla participants.”

The BBC said that on Thursday, 422 people from 41 countries were deported by Israel, and that many have since arrived home, including activists who spoke to reporters after returning to Paris and Rome.

A legal source in Italy told Reuters that prosecutors there were investigating possible crimes, including kidnapping and sexual assault, and the BBC said the allegations were not independently verified.

The Guardian reported that Italy said EU members were discussing imposing sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the BBC said more than 20 countries condemned him after a video showed him mocking detainees.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters, “those still being held need to be released and sent home,” and he added that “people who were responsible for that treatment should be held to account.”

In parallel, Reuters reported that Germany said some of its nationals had been injured and that some accusations were “serious,” while the Israeli prison service maintained that medical care is provided according to professional medical judgment and ministry of health guidelines.