Released Gaza flotilla activists allege beatings and sexual assault by Israeli forces
Activists detained on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have accused Israeli forces of beatings and sexual assault, including rape, after their release Friday. Organizers documented at least 15 cases of sexual abuse, with some activists hospitalized with broken bones and taser injuries. Israel's prison service denied the allegations, while Germany, Canada, and Italy said they were investigating or had received reports of abuse.
Activists released from Israeli custody after their Gaza-bound aid flotilla was intercepted in international waters have alleged they were subjected to beatings and sexual assault, including rape, organizers said Friday, as multiple Western governments said they were investigating the claims.
Israeli forces arrested 430 people on board 50 ships in international waters on Tuesday to halt the flotilla of volunteers trying to bring aid supplies to the Gaza Strip. The activists were transferred to Israeli vessels and taken to a prison after arriving at the port of Ashdod. On Thursday, 422 people from 41 countries were deported by Israel.
Global Sumud Flotilla, the organizers of the aid shipment, said the group had documented at least 15 cases of sexual abuse, with the worst occurring on one Israeli landing craft which had been converted into a makeshift prison with barbed wire and shipping containers. Detainees were thrown into the containers and beaten over the head and ribs, the group said in a statement. They suffered multiple cases of sexual abuse, including "humiliating strip searches, sexual taunting, groping and pulling of genitals, and multiple accounts of rape." The statement added: "At least 12 sexual assaults have been documented on that vessel alone, including anal rape and forcible penetration by a handgun."
Israel's prison service said in a statement: "The allegations raised are false and entirely without factual basis." The statement added: "All prisoners and detainees are held in accordance with the law, with full regard for their basic rights and under the supervision of professional and trained prison staff." The Israeli military said: "IDF orders require respectful and appropriate treatment of flotilla participants on the intercepted vessels."
Mi Hoa Lee, an activist from Spain, said in a video interview: "Four men started beating me in the face against the wall, and I fell down and then stood up again, again to the floor, stood up again, and they started tasering me for more than one minute." She pointed to her ribcage, hips and back where she said they applied the taser. "Then they kept beating me until I almost lost my conscience," she added.
Ilaria Mancosu, an Italian activist, told Reuters those on one prison ship were locked in a container and beaten by five soldiers, suffering fractures to the ribs and arms. She said they spent two days on the prison ships with no running water and used cardboard and plastic to keep warm at night, since they had no blankets and were stripped of most of their clothes. Once on land they were made to kneel for several hours and kicked and shoved if they moved or spoke, she said.
Rome prosecutors are investigating possible crimes of kidnapping, torture and sexual assault, a legal source in Italy said. The source said prosecutors will hear testimony from activists who have returned to Italy over the coming days.
A German Foreign Ministry spokesperson said consular officials reported that a number of German activists had injuries and that "some of the allegations that have been made are serious." The spokesperson said Germany "naturally expects a full explanation."
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on Friday she had "received information from my officials which details the appalling abuse of Canadians who were detained in Israel." She added: "Canada unequivocally condemns the grave mistreatment of Canadians in Israel. Those responsible for this egregious abuse must be held accountable."
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told reporters that four of the 44 Spanish activists had received medical treatment for injuries.
French activist Meriem Hadjal told journalists after returning to Paris: "I was subjected to sexual violence and groping." She added: "I was hit, slapped, touched, kneed in the ribs, my hair was pulled. I was traumatised for hours."
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he was in touch with EU counterparts "so that there may be a quick decision to impose sanctions" on Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Ben-Gvir, who oversees the Israeli prison service and police force, posted a video of himself mocking activists being pinned to the ground in a prison, prompting rare criticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the actions were "not in line with Israel's values."