Why Is Israel's Treatment of GSF Activists Termed Torture?

JAKARTA — Activists from Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 who were arrested by Israeli military experienced physical violence, including beatings and electric shocks.

This treatment falls under the category of torture, according to Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia.

“Yes, that is correct (it constitutes torture), based on the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT),” he told Kompas.com on Saturday, 23 May 2026.

Usman Hamid stated that reports from various NGOs indicated that actions reported against Global Sumud Flotilla activists could fall within the categories of torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, which is prohibited under UNCAT. Particularly when such actions are carried out by official authorities such as security personnel for purposes of intimidation, punishment, coercion, or discrimination.

“Every country, including Israel, is prohibited from engaging in cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment,” he said.

“No state of emergency whatsoever, including a state of war, may be invoked as a justification for torture,” he added.

“We, the Indonesian General Consulate in Istanbul, are thankful that today, together with nine of our citizens who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla mission, they are with us in good health, despite having experienced physical violence over three to four days,” said Darianto Harsono, Head of Indonesia’s General Consulate Representation in Istanbul, in a video shared by Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono on his Instagram account @menluri on Friday, 22 May 2026.

The nine Indonesian nationals have now arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, after being released from Israeli detention and will be repatriated to Indonesia.

“Some were kicked, some were beaten, and some were subjected to electric shocks,” Darianto said.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono also strongly condemned Israel’s treatment of the GSF volunteers, including the nine Indonesian nationals.