Gaza Genocide16 June, 20262 min read
Australia’s Federal Police Investigate Israeli Forces Rape And Torture Allegations Against Gaza Flotilla Activists
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Australian Federal Police opened an inquiry into alleged rape and torture of 11 flotilla detainees. Activists allege sexual assault, physical and psychological abuse by Israeli captors during detention.
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AFP opens probe
Australia’s Federal Police began inquiries into allegations that Israeli forces raped and tortured activists detained after intercepting a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, after four female activists from the Global Sumud flotilla met Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and senior officials including police on Monday. The BBC reported that “The AFP confirmed it had 'begun inquiries into allegations made by a representative of the group'” following the meeting, with the AFP saying it “engages with a victim centric, trauma-informed approach.”
The BBC also said eleven Australians were among hundreds of activists detained by Israeli forces on 18 May after their Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla was intercepted in international waters. In a separate report, Saudi Gazette said Australia is investigating allegations of torture, sexual assault and mistreatment, quoting the group’s social media post that “The Australian government has committed to undertaking an independent investigation into Israel’s assaults, sexual assaults and torture of the flotilla activists.”
Claims denied, meetings
After the Monday meeting in Canberra, activist Juliet Lamont told reporters that Wong “believes” the group’s claims indicated action, saying “They have committed to an independent investigation into our allegations of kidnapping, abuse, rape, torture,” while the AFP confirmed it had begun inquiries. The BBC quoted an Israeli embassy spokesperson saying there was “no credible evidence” to back the claims and that no formal complaint had yet been made to them.
SMH.au reported that Australian man Ethan Floyd, who spent two days on an Israeli prison ship before being released onto the Greek island of Crete, would tell the AFP he was digitally penetrated and beaten for refusing to kiss the Israeli flag. Floyd said, “They demanded I kiss the Israeli flag and beat me when I refused,” and the AFP spokeswoman reiterated, “The AFP has begun inquiries into allegations made by a representative of the group.”
Pressure, legal avenues
The AFP inquiry is part of a wider set of probes, with Saudi Gazette saying similar inquiries have been launched in Italy and France over the treatment of flotilla participants. SMH.au reported that Greens Senator David Shoebridge said, “We’ll be watching this inquiry closely including the timeframe, resourcing and the transparency,” and he called for the Albanese government to demand cooperation from Israel, including the provision of body-worn camera footage and closed-circuit footage.
The BBC said the minister expects “an independent, transparent investigation,” while the Israeli embassy in Australia claimed the activists were “professional provocateurs” and that their accusations had “already been proven to be false.” In parallel, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said the Global Sumud Flotilla lodged a submission with the International Criminal Court alleging war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and other breaches of international law by Israeli forces, as the group labelled the meeting a “step forward” while calling to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.