Australian Gaza flotilla member criticises government after detention in Israel
An Australian activist who was detained by Israel while taking part in a Gaza flotilla has publicly criticised the Australian government, accusing officials of failing to provide adequate support for her and other Australians held in Israeli custody. Juliet Lamont, one of hundreds involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla, spoke from Amman, Jordan, after the group’s deportation from Israel last night.
What happened to the Global Sumud Flotilla participants?
The Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of ships with humanitarian aims for Gaza, was intercepted by the Israeli navy off Gaza last week. The Australian participants, including seven Australians, were detained at the Ketziot prison near the Israel-Egypt border before being deported to Jordan. Ms Lamont said the Australians were the last to be released, with others, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, released earlier in the week.
Claims of mistreatment and the response from authorities
According to reports prepared by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and provided to the ABC by families of the detainees, the prison guards allegedly denied water to an Australian prisoner and subjected detainees to sleep deprivation. Ms Lamont said the group was attempting to deliver baby food and essential aid to Gaza when they were intercepted, and she claimed they were subjected to mistreatment in the Ketziot facility.
Israel has not publicly responded to the specific allegations of mistreatment but has, in the past, rejected accusations of abuse. A statement from Israel’s Foreign Ministry described the allegations as “complete lies” and asserted that the prisoners’ legal rights, including medical access, were fully upheld.
Australian government reaction
In Canberra, a spokesperson for Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government had worked hard to support Australians detained in Israel. The spokesman noted that Australian diplomats had visited Ketziot multiple times, carried out welfare checks, and were involved in arrangements for the Australians’ release and deportation.
Ms Lamont countered that more could have been done. She told reporters that other countries had helped facilitate the group’s travel from Israel to Jordan and accused the Australian government of being “absolutely shameful” in its level of support for its citizens. She also said the Italian government had provided supportive assistance during the ordeal.
Legal avenues and ongoing concerns
Bernadette Zaydon, the principal lawyer representing the Australians, indicated that the group might be flown to Istanbul before arrangements are made to bring them home to Australia. The legal team, which said it had limited access to detainees’ information, expressed concerns about alleged human rights abuses and the lack of information available to lawyers.
There were additional remarks about a broader pattern of incidents, with Ms Zaydon noting that lawyers had encountered a “blackout” on information regarding the detained Australians, and saying that concerns extended beyond the border entry into Israel to the treatment inside its prisons.
Context of the flotilla and regional dynamics
All flotillas attempting to break the Gaza blockade have faced interceptions or attacks since 2010. Israel has tightly controlled entry points for goods and aid into the Gaza Strip since 2007, citing security concerns. Proponents of the flotillas argue their mission is humanitarian, seeking to deliver essential goods to Gaza despite the blockade, while opponents say such actions risk provocation and security risks in a volatile region.
What happens next?
With the group’s deportation completed, attention shifts to the coming days as consular and legal teams work to finalize return arrangements to Australia. The case has reignited debate over how governments respond to citizens detained abroad during high-profile activist episodes and the degree to which consular support should be provided in politically charged international confrontations.
As the legal and diplomatic processes unfold, observers say the situation highlights the fragility of cross-border humanitarian activism and the need for clear channels between governments and citizens in times of crisis.
