Expelled Australian Activists from Gaza Flotilla Pledge to Come Back

Share and Follow

Some of the Australian activists who were arrested and detained in Israel before being deported have returned home.

Activists Abu Bakr Rafiq, Juliet Lamont, and Hamish Patterson flew into Sydney Airport, while Melbourne-based Bianca Webb Pullman arrived at Melbourne Airport.

“As much as it is great that we’re all here together, we have to keep all eyes on Gaza. This ropey ceasefire, this dodgy Trumpian real estate-grab ceasefire deal, let’s see what will happen,” she said.

Lamont vowed the activists, who were attempting to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, would return “to show Palestinian solidarity and love”.

“We are going back and we are going to take 150 boats this time,” she said.

Alleged torture by Israeli forces

The activists alleged that they were refused medical treatment, medication and legal counsel while detained by Israeli forces.

“While we were held hostage, we were abused, we were tortured, we were kicked, punched, spat at,” Abu Bakr Rafiq said.

“We were refused access to medication. We were refused seeing a doctor, refused to see a lawyer. Women did not receive menstrual pads. We were refused clean drinking water. They pointed their guns at us. They would raid us in the middle of the night with dogs and guns simply just to count.”

A man holding pink roses is embraced by another man.

Australian activist Abu Bakir Rafiq (left) is embraced after returning home. He said the activists would “continue fighting”. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

SBS News has contacted Israel’s defence ministry for comment. Israel’s foreign ministry has previously rejected allegations of mistreatment.

In Senate estimates on Friday morning, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australian officials had raised concerns over the alleged treatment of the flotilla activists while they were detained.

SBS News understands department officials spoke with Israel’s ambassador in Canberra, and Australia’s ambassador in Tel Aviv raised the issue within Israel.

A woman holding a bunch of roses is embraced by a man.

Australian activist Dr Bianca Webb-Pullman (left) is reunited with partner Stephen Rowe at Melbourne Airport. Source: AAP / James Ross

The activists have also accused the federal government of not providing enough support.

They said they were visited by representatives from the Australian consulate while in Israel’s Ketziot prison, but it “didn’t really add up to much”.

“Australia was one of the last countries to be processed from jail,” Lamont said.

She said when they were in Jordan, where they were deported to before returning to Australia, “every single participant had their country’s counsellor or ambassador there except Australia”.

A large crowd of people holding phones and smiling, some holding the Palestinian flag and other signage.

Supporters of the Australian activists formed a large crowd at Sydney International Airport. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

SBS News has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment. The Department has previously said it 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.”

Concerns for one Australian in detention

Lamont said she feared for the safety of Madeline Habib, the captain of a flotilla ship which was intercepted this week.

“I really fear, she’s a really good friend of mine and she’s a really good captain, she’s an immaculate sailor, she’s a very brave woman.”

Wong was quizzed on the treatment on Habib in Senate estimates on Friday by Greens senator Nick McKim, who said he had a letter from her partner saying she was being fed stale bread and brown water.

The foreign minister said she had concerns for all detained Australians and the federal government works “very hard” to advocate for them “and get the best outcome we can”.

“Our expectations of Israel is that detainees receive humane treatment in line with international norms, which includes the provision of food and water,” she said.

The activists said they would attend the pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney on Saturday and lead a chant of “Madeline Habib, bring her home”.

Cameron Tribe, the captain of the Marionette, the last ship to be intercepted by Israeli forces, is due to return to Sydney on Saturday morning.

Global Sumud Flotilla activists from 40 other countries have also been deported from Israel after being arrested during the interception in early October.