Eleven Australians detained by Israeli forces after attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza via the Global Sumud flotilla have been deported. Israel confirmed on Thursday that all foreign activists seized from the flotilla had been expelled, following international outcry over their treatment in custody.
The Australians were transferred by bus to Ramon airport in southern Israel, where Australian consular officials sought access before their departure. They were flown by charter flight to Istanbul, Turkey, where consular officials again met them at the airport to provide assistance.
Those detained include Neve O’Connor, Sam Woripa Watson, Anny Mokotow, Isla Lamont, Juliet Lamont, Surya McEwen, Zack Schofield, Dr Bianca Pullman-Webb, Gemma O’Toole, Violet Coco and Helen O’Sullivan. Their families expressed relief at their release but voiced anger over the circumstances.
Joanne Jaworowski, mother of Zack Schofield, said she was relieved but had received no information about his welfare. “It is almost unbearable for me to think about what he has gone through over the more than three days at the hands of the brutal Israeli forces,” she said. Jacinta McEwen, mother of Surya McEwen, said “we are overcome with relief that our kids are coming home,” but added she was angry about the situation.
The deportations followed widespread condemnation of Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who posted a video showing bound activists kneeling with their heads to the ground. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the images “shocking and unacceptable” and instructed Australia’s ambassador to Israel to demand the Australians’ release. Israeli Ambassador Hillel Newman condemned Ben-Gvir’s actions, stating they were “disgraceful” and did not reflect Israel’s values.
