🔗 Share this article

Australian activists detained in Israel have reported enduring what they call “degrading and humiliating treatment” after their detainment aboard a humanitarian convoy transporting aid to Gaza.

An activist, Surya McEwen, claimed he was slapped and experienced a dislocated arm and had his head forced into the ground.

Health Concerns and Detention Conditions

A second activist, Lamont, expressed serious fear about her well-being, stating she was at danger of stroke after her daily medication were seized by authorities.

She portrayed the detention facility as “oppressive” and added that her request for additional drugs had not been met.

McEwen and Lamont are among a group of Aussies confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to have been taken into custody in Israel.

Authorities stated they are offering consular assistance to the individuals, including through in-person visits.

Allegations of Unsafe Conditions

The activists are being detained in a maximum-security facility in the desert region and allege that they and other detainees were offered water that was contaminated due to a strong chemical taste.

He informed consular staff that he had been kept in a enclosure with dozens of individuals without food or water, while being exposed to verbal attacks from authorities.

Lamont stated that upon reaching the detention center, she was taken to a room with other women and berated by guards, who called them “terrorists”.

Interception and Treatment Information

The care worker, in his forties, and Lamont, 54 years old, were arrested on Thursday when their vessels were stopped by the naval forces.

They were part of the international aid mission involving dozens of boats and more than 450 people, including parliamentarians, legal experts, and campaigners.

Dfat officials visited the detained Australians on Friday.

According to a report seen by sources, he detailed “abusive and insulting behavior” after being taken to the port of Ashdod.

He stated that his spirits was low due to restriction of rest and physical intimidation from Israeli prison guards.

Relatives Worries and Medical Issues

McEwen’s parent, Jacinta McEwen, a former nurse, said she had been contacting Dfat for daily updates and was worried about the “full-on” situation her son was experiencing.

“I am concerned about his dislocated shoulder, head injury, and lack of medical attention,” she stated.

McEwen thought her son’s deportation was being delayed because he declined to sign a document acknowledging he had breached immigration laws.

The flotilla maintains it was wrongfully stopped by the Israeli navy in open sea.

He also told representatives that authorities had destroyed pages of his passport because it was microchipped.

Both individuals threw their phones into the sea before their arrest.

Differences in Detainment Experiences

Although he stated his arrest on board the vessel was executed with little violence, Lamont – sailing on a different ship – described a “humiliating” experience.

Lamont alleged her hands were zip-tied behind her back, she was sprayed with a high-pressure hose, and was made to sit in an unventilated area with her hands restrained and clothes drenched for seven hours.

During this time, she said her head was repeatedly shoved down by officials.

Prison Conditions and Health Effects

Both are being held in the facility, which is mainly utilized to hold Palestinian prisoners, many of whom authorities alleges of engaging in unlawful acts.

After Australian officials visited her, they observed she was “emotionally distressed”, weeping repeatedly during the meeting.

The mother of two was reported as feeling dehydrated, weak, lightheaded, and confused.

She mentioned a official had informed her that tap water was unsafe to drink, and she feared her dehydration was worsening her hypertension.

On the day of her arrest, after her prescription was taken, Lamont stated a physician – after checking her blood pressure – had provided her a single tablet of medication.

But after Australian officials visited her, they reported she was feeling weak, confused, and tired, and concerned she was at risk of stroke.

Her request to see a doctor again had received no response.

International and Family Responses

A representative for the activist group expressed fear that her acquaintance was at risk of succumbing without access to medication.

The mother of another Aussie detainee, Bianca Webb-Pullman, stated she had obtained a call from authorities giving a summary of their visit to Ketziot prison.

Webb-Pullman reported that her daughter had been exposed to abuse, degradation, intimidation, and was physically handled and pushed.

She was also left in a courtyard in the sun for several hours with no protection, food or water.

She added a tap with unclean liquid, meaning she had drunk no or little water in an extended period.

Government Statements

Dfat replied to inquiries with a message that said the Australian government had “expressed to Israeli officials the need for detainees to be treated humanely according to global standards”.

“We repeat our call on Israel to enable the sustained, unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” the announcement added.

Sources reached out to Israel’s prison service, the Israel Defense Forces, the foreign office, and the Israeli embassy in Australia, but no one replied to a query.