Australia Investigates Activists' Claims of Abuse by Israeli Forces

Australian authorities are investigating allegations that a number of their citizens were abused by Israeli forces after being detained whilst attempting to deliver aid to Gaza by sea. A group of Australian activists detained by Israeli forces in May met with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and senior officials from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in Canberra on Monday to discuss their claims of torture and mistreatment. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, activist Juliet Lamont said the group had received assurances that the AFP would investigate their allegations. “They have committed to conducting an independent investigation into our allegations of abduction, assault, rape, and torture,” she said. In a statement provided to local media, the AFP said it had commenced an investigation into the allegations and would provide updates at the appropriate time. The Australians were part of a flotilla of around 400 members intercepted and detained by Israel on 18 May as they attempted to deliver food aid, medicines, and infant formula to the Gaza Strip. Members of the flotilla subsequently submitted evidence of the alleged torture they endured to the International Criminal Court in May. During a Senate hearing in early June, Foreign Minister Wong said she believed the allegations made by the Australian activists. Meanwhile, the Israeli Embassy in Canberra, in a statement posted to social media on Monday, stated that it categorically denied the group’s allegations.