Freed Indonesian activists allege abuse after Israel detains Gaza Aid Flotilla
Key Takeaways
- Indonesian activists and journalists returned to Jakarta after being released from Israeli detention following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
- Freed detainees alleged abuse in custody, including beatings, restraints, rubber bullets and forced stripping during detention procedures.
- Israel denied the allegations, saying activists were treated lawfully after the Gaza-bound aid convoy was stopped in international waters.
Returning activists and journalists recount alleged mistreatment after Israeli forces intercepted an aid convoy bound for Gaza.
Indonesian activists and journalists released from Israeli detention arrived home on Sunday and publicly accused Israeli authorities of mistreatment during their time in custody following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The group landed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, where dozens of supporters gathered to welcome them back. Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono was present at the arrivals terminal alongside supporters carrying placards reading “Welcome to humanity”, “You fought, and you won”, and “Free not because of diplomacy”.
Several of the returning activists described their experiences after being detained by Israeli authorities earlier this week.
Freed journalist Taudy Baday said the conditions they faced were severe and reflected the wider treatment experienced by Palestinians in Israeli prisons.
“What we experienced there was indeed cruel, but I never imagined what the Palestinian people feel in prison, with no certainty of freedom and certainly receiving even harsher treatment,” he said.
Activist Andre Prasentyo alleged that some detainees were subjected to force while being held.
According to him, Israeli authorities used rubber bullets against some activists and deployed “tear gas” in the mornings to wake detainees.
Another activist claimed detainees were tightly controlled during processing and detention procedures.
“If we were seen looking to the side, our heads would be forced down onto the ground; that was part of the immigration process [...] We remained tightly handcuffed, there are still marks from the restraints, our legs were chained, and we were stripped naked,” the activist said.
The Israel Prison Service rejected allegations of abuse, stating that detainees were held “in accordance with the law, with full regard for their basic rights and under the supervision of professional and trained prison staff”.
The activists had been part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international convoy organised to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Organisers said the mission included 50 vessels carrying 428 participants from more than 40 countries.
Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters before it could reach Gaza, where residents continue to face shortages of food, medicine and essential supplies amid Israel’s ongoing blockade.
The detentions drew criticism internationally and within Israel after National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared footage online showing blindfolded and restrained detainees kneeling at Ashdod Port.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s decision to stop the flotilla but criticised Ben-Gvir’s conduct, saying the handling of detainees was “not in line with Israel’s values”.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
