Australian Activist Criticizes Government's "Shameful" Evacuation Effort from Israel

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When Julie Webb-Pullman finally made contact with her imprisoned, phone-less daughter, activist and doctor Bianca Webb-Pullman, at around 10pm on Tuesday, she was “so relieved”.

Israel intercepted hundreds of members of the flotilla last week, arresting and detaining them in the Israeli prison.

Bianca is expected to arrive back in Australia on Friday morning.

“I still can’t quite get my head around that they’re actually out and on their way back home,” Julie told SBS News.

However, since their release, Julie, along with other activists and their families, have been critical of the Australian government’s response in the days after their arrest and detention, calling it slow and uncommunicative.

The comments have followed a call from a NSW Greens MP to investigate claims of torture and mistreatment of the Australians, after detained activist Surya McEwen claimed his arm had been dislocated after rough treatment by Israeli authorities.

Others have also alleged they experienced violence and mistreatment while detained, which Israel has denied.

Italian government more helpful than Australian, activist says

One of the seven detained Australians, Juliet Lamont, told ABC News Breakfast on Wednesday morning that the Australian contingent was the last nationality to be released from Ketziot Prison, and that they “thought they were going to be there for months”.

“We’re really upset that the Australian government have been so shameful in their support of their citizens,” she said.

She alleged that the group was left without access to medication or food during their time in what she described as an “outrageous” prison”.

Lamont, a filmmaker from northern NSW, said they were better supported by other countries’ governments than Australia.

“The Italian government has been really supportive, because (protesters) have basically set their whole country on fire,” she said, referencing widespread protests that erupted in Italy following the flotilla arrests.

“The Australian government has been bereft and absolutely shameful in their support. We thought we were going to be there for months.”

Julie Webb-Pullman said that Australian consular officials in Jordan were supportive of her daughter, taking the Australians to a hospital for a check-up.

She said the Australian officials from the embassy in Israel who visited the Australians were “great as well”.

“But the communications between the office and Australia and me have been really appalling, and there are several issues we will certainly be taking up with them,” she said.

“It has been very unprofessional and very bad, and I hope no other family has to go through the nonsense that our family, in particular, was subjected to. It was really quite disgusting.”

Webb-Pullman said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) did not provide her with updates on her daughter’s condition, which were provided to the families of other Australians detained.

“They would not provide me with information, saying they did not have consent, but Bianca insists that she did provide consent,” she said.

“All the other families were given the reports of the consular visits, but I was not.”

Trouble accessing information

Webb-Pullman also said she was not informed when the Australians were deported.

She alleged that when she called DFAT’s emergency line, she waited for five minutes for an answer. Eventually, she decided she couldn’t stay on the line any longer in case her daughter was trying to call.

However, she said Australian consulate staff did give the Australians a phone to call their family, but that Bianca had no phone number because all her possessions were confiscated.

In a statement, the mother of McEwen said she is “angry and disappointed” at the government’s response.

“Our prime minister and foreign minister said nothing, did nothing publicly, and never once contacted us while our children were being tortured,” Jacinta McEwen said.

“The silence is a betrayal. Australia must impose sanctions on Israel immediately and our leaders must finally show they care about both their own citizens and the genocide in Gaza.”

A man in a black hoodie that reads "Byron Bay Basketball" standing in front of a colourful wall.

Australian activist Surya McEwen claimed he suffered a dislocated arm due to physical violence by Israeli authorities. Source: AAP / Supplied

A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong said DFAT officials have worked hard to support Australians who were detained in Israel.

“Our diplomats travelled to Ketziot multiple times, conducted in-person visits and welfare checks. They advocated to Israeli authorities on behalf of the Australians and provided updates to detainees’ families.”

“Officials worked with Israeli authorities to ensure the release and deportation of the Australians and they continue to provide consular assistance.”

Calls for torture investigation

On Tuesday, Sue Higginson, a NSW Greens upper house MP and justice spokesperson, called on the Australian government to investigate claims of torture and mistreatment in Ketziot prison.

“These Australians have been locked in the same cells that Israel has been using to detain and to torture thousands of Palestinian hostages for years. We are hearing that the cell walls are full with etchings of children’s names from Palestinian parents who know they will never see their children again,” she said in a statement.

“Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong must act to ensure all allegations of mistreatment are fully investigated.”

People in orange life jackets huddled in a circle with their hands in the air. THey are surrounded by figures in dark clothes holding guns.

A flotilla vessel named Florida was one of several intercepted by Israeli forces on Thursday. Source: AAP / Global Sumud Flotilla

SBS News has contacted Israel’s foreign ministry for comment. Over the weekend, the ministry released a statement on X saying that widespread allegations regarding mistreatment were “brazen lies” and that all detainees’ legal rights were upheld.

Julie Webb-Pullman said she was not surprised to hear that the allegations were denied.

“Every reputable international human rights organisation and legal organisation from the UN to Human Rights Watch to Amnesty International has determined that Israel is committing genocide, yet Israel continues to deny it. All of the abductees have reported ill-treatment; Israel is, of course, denying it.”

Israel has said it “categorically rejects” allegations of genocide.

Webb-Pullman said her daughter’s experience has not discouraged her from continuing her activism.

“If Israel thought they would break their will by subjecting them to these conditions … it has absolutely backfired. They are more determined than ever.”

“They have a very realistic idea now of what Palestinians suffer in Israeli prisons. They heard and saw the torture that was being inflicted on others … they could hear terrible other things being done to Palestinians. It made them more determined, if anything, because they have seen and experienced the depraved cruelty of the Israeli regime.”