Australian Foreign Minister Says She Believes Activists' Allegations of Abuse by Israeli Forces
The foreign minister stated during Senate hearings that she believes Australian women who allege sexual assault and mistreatment while detained by Israeli forces. She also said she is open to meeting the activists and has raised the matter with Israeli officials.
The Sydney Morning HeraldThe foreign minister said she believes the Australian women who allege they were raped and brutalised by Israeli forces while detained as part of a flotilla attempting to reach Gaza. During a Senate hearing exchange with a Greens senator, the foreign minister described herself as a feminist and said she believes women who come forward with such assertions.
She added that she was open to meeting the Global Salmud Flotilla activists if they contacted her office directly.
The foreign minister described the actions of Israel's National Security Minister as unconscionable for posting an inflammatory video taunting the flotilla participants. She said she had raised her concerns directly with her Israeli counterpart and called for a thorough investigation.
Israel's ambassador to Australia was summoned for an official rebuke. " Three members of the flotilla held a press conference at Parliament House to call on the prime minister and the foreign minister to meet them and hear their allegations. One activist said she was glad the foreign minister believes them and called for sanctions against Israel.
Australians detained in international waters on May 18 have submitted evidence to the International Criminal Court alleging sexual assault and injection with unknown substances. The flotilla of 50 boats carrying about 400 people from nearly 50 countries aimed to deliver food, medicine, and baby formula to Gaza.
The Israeli embassy stated last week that the allegations were scripted in advance to defame Israel and called the claims baseless.
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