🔗 Share this article

Australian activists detained in Israeli custody have reported enduring what they call “demeaning and insulting conditions” after their arrest aboard a humanitarian convoy carrying aid to Gaza.

An activist, McEwen, claimed he was slapped and experienced a shoulder injury and had his head slammed into the ground.

Medical Concerns and Prison Conditions

Another activist, Lamont, expressed serious concern about her well-being, saying she was at danger of stroke after her daily medication were confiscated by authorities.

She portrayed the prison environment as “dystopian” and added that her appeal for more medication had not been met.

The two activists are among seven Australians confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to have been taken into custody in Israel.

Authorities mentioned they are providing support to the detainees, including through in-person visits.

Claims of Unsafe Facilities

The activists are being held 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 Australian officials that he had been kept in a cage with 80 other people without food or water, while being subjected to abuse from authorities.

Lamont stated that upon arriving the detention center, she was taken to a room with female detainees and berated by officials, who called them “militants”.

Arrest and Treatment Information

The care worker, aged 40, and Lamont, 54 years old, were arrested on last week when their vessels were stopped by the Israeli navy.

They were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla comprising dozens of boats and more than 450 people, including parliamentarians, legal experts, and activists.

Australian representatives visited the Aussie detainees on the following day.

According to a report seen by sources, McEwen described “degrading and humiliating treatment” after being transferred to the port of Ashdod.

He explained that his spirits was low due to sleep deprivation techniques and physical intimidation from detention staff.

Relatives Worries and Medical Issues

McEwen’s parent, Jacinta McEwen, a former nurse, said she had been contacting authorities for regular information and was concerned about the “full-on” situation her son was experiencing.

“If he’s got a dislocated shoulder and he’s had a head injury and he hasn’t received any medical aid, I’m worried about that,” she stated.

She thought her son’s deportation was being delayed because he refused to sign a form acknowledging he had entered Israel illegally.

The flotilla maintains it was illegally intercepted by the naval forces in international waters.

He also told representatives that Israeli soldiers had torn up pages of his passport because it was electronically embedded.

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

Variations in Arrest Accounts

While he stated his arrest on board the Mia Mia was executed with minimal force, she – sailing on a separate boat – recounted a “humiliating” ordeal.

She alleged her hands were bound behind her back, she was sprayed with a water cannon, and was made to sit in an stifling space with her hands tied and clothes drenched for seven hours.

During this time, she reported her head was forcibly pushed by officials.

Prison Conditions and Health Impact

Both are being detained in Ketziot prison, which is primarily used to hold inmates, many of whom authorities accuses of engaging in unlawful acts.

After Australian officials visited her, they noted she was “deeply upset”, weeping repeatedly during the visit.

The mother of two was reported as feeling thirsty, weak, lightheaded, and disoriented.

She mentioned a guard had warned her that tap water was contaminated, and she believed her dehydration was exacerbating her hypertension.

On the day of her arrest, after her prescription was taken, Lamont explained a physician – after measuring her vitals – had given her a single tablet of medication.

But after Australian officials saw her, they noted she was feeling lethargic, disoriented, and lethargic, and worried she was at risk of stroke.

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

International and Relative Reactions

A spokesperson for Global Movement to Gaza Australia expressed concern that her friend was at danger of succumbing without access to medication.

The mother of another detained Australian, her daughter, stated she had obtained a call from authorities giving a verbal account of their visit to Ketziot prison.

Webb-Pullman described that her daughter had been subjected to mistreatment, humiliation, intimidation, and was man-handled and pushed.

She was also left in a open area in the heat for several hours with no protection, sustenance.

She further described a faucet with contaminated water, meaning she had drunk no or little water in days.

Government Responses

Australian authorities replied to inquiries with a statement that said the authorities had “made clear to Israel our expectation that detainees will receive humane treatment in line with international norms”.

“We again urge Israel to allow continuous, unrestricted humanitarian aid to reach Gaza,” the statement added.

Sources reached out to Israel’s prison service, the Israel Defense Forces, the Israeli ministry for foreign affairs, and the diplomatic mission, but none replied to a query.