Six Australians participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) are among those kidnapped by Israeli naval forces on international waters, on April 30.
The fleet was about 1400km away from Gaza when the Israeli navy surrounded and illegally intercepted 22 of 58 boats and abducted at least 175 participants.
The GSF announced on social media that “Israeli military boats have illegally surrounded the flotilla in international waters and threatened kidnapping and violence”, adding that communications with 11 boats had been lost and that Israeli media was reporting the interception of seven vessels.
The Australian delegation has confirmed that Bianca Webb-Pullman (Naarm/Melbourne), Ethan Floyd (Gadigal Country/Sydney), Zack Schofield (Muloobinba/Newcastle), Neve O’Connor (Naarm/Melbourne), Surya McEwen (Magan-djin/Brisbane) and Cameron Tribe were on board the intercepted vessels.
Schofield and O’Connor posted prior to being abducted: “We are being intercepted by Israeli navy”. They called on supporters to contact the Israeli Consular Emergency Centre and the Greek Consulate in Australia.
The GSF said its vessels “were approached by military speedboats, self-identified as ‘Israel’, pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons, ordering participants to the front of the boats and to get on their hands and knees.”
In total, 58 boats are listed as being part of the GSF, and with support from additional vessels — including Greenpeace’s Arctic Sunrise — the mission was set to comprise up to 80 boats on the water.
Members of a 14-strong Australian contingent set sail from Italian ports on April 26, and had previously reported being stalked by drones in the days leading up to the interception — an act that breaks several international laws.
Vessels taking part in last year’s mission were intercepted closer to the Gaza coast, in October last year. Seven Australians were captured and later reported they were subjected to more than a week of beatings, abuse and humiliation while witnessing far more cruelty to Palestinians in the same prison.
The GSF aims to break the siege of Gaza by delivering lifesaving humanitarian aid to Palestinians experiencing famine and deprivation under Israeli occupation.
Other Australians taking part in this year’s solidarity flotilla include: Anny Mokotow (Naarm/Melbourne), Gemma O’Toole (Naarm/Melbourne), Helen O’Sullivan (Kombumerri/Gold Coast), Violet Coco (Naarm/Melbourne), Madeline Habib (Lutruwita/Tasmania), Robert Volker (Rockhampton), Sam Woripa Watson (Magan-djin/Brisbane), Juliet Lamont (Northern Rivers) and Isla Lamont (Northern Rivers).
Floyd — a Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa and Wailwan man and student — said the Australian government had dragged its own citizens into the genocide in Gaza.
“Our government sends components used in weapons systems that are killing innocent Palestinians.
“That means we are not separate from this. If harm is being done in our name, then it’s up to ordinary Australians to act. I’m sailing because civilians deserve food, medicine and the chance to live.”
Anny Mokotow, academic, grandmother and member of Jews Against the Occupation ’48 said her family background provided an explanation for her involvement in the flotilla.
“As a child of Holocaust survivors, I was taught never to look away from injustice — that ‘never again’ means never again for everyone.
“Children are being starved. Aid is being blocked. As a Jew, I refuse to let my identity be used to justify this. Let Palestinians live. Let aid flow.”
Following the interception, Simon Jones, head of the Australian delegation of the Global Movement to Gaza said: “It is absolutely outrageous that Israel has once again illegally taken hostage humanitarian volunteers in international waters as they seek to get life-saving aid to Gaza.
“We demand that Minister Penny Wong and the Department of Foreign Affairs issue an unequivocal condemnation of Israel’s actions as a violation of international law and extend immediate diplomatic protection to all Australian participants.
“We are calling on all nations to respond to this egregious act of state-sanctioned piracy by sending their own humanitarian aid vessels to ensure food, medicine and baby formula can reach the people of Gaza.”
A range of snap rallies are being organised in solidarity with Australians being held hostage. Information can be found here: https://let-aid-flow.carrd.co/.
[For more information, visit: globalsumudflotilla.org.]