Protesters from Gaza Flotilla Allege Difficult Situations in Israeli Custody
Families of detained participants from New Zealand have raised alarms about difficult circumstances in Israel's custody, including lack of access to water and legal counsel.
Flotilla Activists Face Deportation
More than seventy participants from various nationalities are expected to be deported from Israel, featuring twenty-eight French nationals, 27 Greek nationals, fifteen Italians, and nine Swedish nationals.
Family Reports of Poor Conditions
Adrian Leason shared grave apprehension about his son's situation, stating: "I'm extremely anxious about my son, as he is held in a detention cell at this moment, in a restricted area packed with other detainees... he has been lacking water and legal representation."
Health Concerns and Treatment
Rana's sister reported that her sister had suffered an injury to her shoulder, though the family remained uncertain about the specifics of how it occurred.
"I urge the officials to react and secure the return of our dear ones safely unharmed and in proper health," the family member commented.
Official Statements
New Zealand's diplomatic corps provided a statement indicating that a diplomatic representative in Israel had consulted the citizens and that additional assistance would be provided in the near future.
Meanwhile, Israeli government officials has disputed claims that some activists were refused entry their legal representatives and asserted that the legal rights of the detainees were being "entirely maintained."
Additional Claims of Mistreatment
Legal representatives working with the held individuals have reported that some of those in confinement have faced abuse and bodily injury while in confinement centers.
- Refusal of medical treatment and medication
- Allegedly, a female detainee was forced to remove her hijab
- Inadequate access to fundamental requirements
Official Reactions
The representative of New Zealand's political group, the politician, told a public gathering that the arrested citizens were trying to establish a society "where our humanity truly has value."
Meanwhile, the government official the minister accused other officials of "artificial anger" and stated that individuals of the flotilla were "headline hunting" and had been told not to proceed with the expedition.
The leader Christopher Luxon told reporters that representatives had expressed "very strongly to the Israeli government" that the security of New Zealanders was paramount.
Yet, the prime minister declined to condemn Israel's stopping of the convoy because there were "perspectives on multiple sides."
