Eleven Australians attempting to deliver aid to Gaza have been detained by Israeli forces in international waters off Cyprus, with the Australian government urgently seeking confirmation of their welfare. The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of 54 boats that left Turkey last week to break Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
On Monday local time, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) encircled 38 of the 54 vessels, which were carrying 319 activists from dozens of nations, about 250 nautical miles from Gaza's coast. Footage showed Israeli speedboats approaching and boarding the ships in daylight. The Israeli foreign ministry claimed no aid was found on the boats, a statement disputed by flotilla organisers.
The detained Australians include academics, doctors, students, activists and film-makers such as Anny Mokotow, Dr Bianca Pullman-Webb, Neve O’Connor, Violet Coco, Gemma O’Toole, Sam Woripa Watson, Zack Schofield, Helen O’Sullivan, Juliet Lamont, Isla Lamont and Surya McEwan. In Melbourne, parents and lovedones held a press conference, with Suzie O’Toole saying she was 'terrified' for her 23-year-old daughter, and Chris O’Connor accusing the federal government of losing its decency for not intervening.
This is the second such incident in weeks; six Australians were detained when 22 boats were intercepted off Greece two weeks ago. One of them, Ethan Floyd, who has since returned to Australia, said it was not a 'radical act' to deliver food and medicine to a starving population, and alleged mistreatment during their detention. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was 'urgently seeking' welfare confirmation and expected humane treatment in line with international norms.
Cyprus confirmed the interceptions occurred outside its territorial waters, while Turkey condemned the action as piracy. The Greens’ deputy leader, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, criticised the Australian government for its lack of action, and lawyers representing some activists said Israel had a 'documented pattern of harm' against civilian humanitarian workers. DFAT remains in contact with local authorities in Israel.
