Australian Gaza flotilla member criticises federal government after detention by Israel
An Australian activist, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, has accused the Australian government of failing to provide adequate support following her detention by Israeli authorities. Juliet Lamont, one of hundreds of international participants and seven Australians on board, spoke from Amman, Jordan, after the group was deported from Israel last night.
Detention and deportation raise questions about government assistance
The flotilla was intercepted by Israel’s navy off the Gaza coast last week. Those aboard were arrested and held in Ketziot prison near the Israel-Egypt border before being deported to Jordan. Lamont said the Australian government was “absolutely shameful” in its handling of their extraction, contrasting Australia’s response with the support she observed from other countries, notably Italy.
“We were left to face an incredibly hostile environment with little to no assistance from our government,” Lamont told reporters in Amman. “Other countries helped facilitate our transport from Israel into Jordan, and I’m really upset that the Australian government has been so shameful in their support for their citizens.”
Lamont noted that Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was among those detained, was released earlier in the week and has since travelled to Athens. The remarks highlight ongoing scrutiny of how Australian diplomats manage crises involving its citizens abroad.
Allegations of mistreatment and medical neglect
Family-sourced reports prepared for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and provided to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation described an alarming scene inside Ketziot prison. Detainees were allegedly denied water at times, subjected to sleep deprivation, and deprived of basic medications and food, according to the families’ accounts.
Lamont echoed these concerns, saying the group had been “put in the most outrageous prison” and left without access to essential supplies. Israel has publicly rejected allegations of mistreatment, stating that all legal rights and medical care were upheld for the detainees. The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the claims of mistreatment “complete lies.”
Australian government response and ongoing diplomacy
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong insisted that DFAT officials had worked diligently to assist Australians detained in Israel. The government said diplomats conducted multiple visits and welfare checks at Ketziot and worked to secure the release and deportation of the Australian participants.
Despite these assurances, the activists’ legal team has questioned the transparency of the process. Bernadette Zaydon, principal lawyer for the Australian detainees, described a “blackout” in information flow, with lawyers denied access and diplomats serving as the primary conduit for updates. “There was no clear plan communicated to the families,” she said, signaling broader concerns about due process and access to information for detainees.
Legal perspectives and humanitarian aims
Lawyers for the Australians argue that the flotilla did not violate any laws because the mission occurred in international waters, and the intention was clearly humanitarian—delivering baby food and essential aid to Gaza. Zaydon stressed that flotillas attempting to break a blockade have historically faced interception, but insisted that participants did not plan to enter Israel and were operating in international waters when intercepted.
The broader debate centers on how to balance humanitarian efforts with national security concerns in a volatile region. While governments reassess their responses to such incidents, activists maintain that coordinated international pressure and transparent diplomacy are essential to safeguarding the welfare of individuals who volunteer for these missions.
What happens next for the Australians?
According to Bernadette Zaydon, the Australians are being routed through Istanbul as arrangements for their return to Australia are finalized in the coming days. The case has already prompted renewed calls from human rights advocates for a thorough, independent review of treatment in detention facilities, access to medical care, and the rights of nationals involved in international humanitarian initiatives.
As families await definitive updates, the incident underscores the tension between political standoffs and the practicalities of delivering aid. It also keeps the spotlight on Australia’s diplomatic role in protecting its citizens abroad while navigating a fraught regional landscape.
