Israeli forces tasered & beat Gaza flotilla activists, says Australian passenger

November 6, 2011
Issue 
Australian Palestine solidarity activist Michael Coleman on board the Tahrir. Photo: freegazaoz.org

Free Gaza Australia released the statement below on November 7.

* * *

Contrary to Israeli claims that the takeover of the two Freedom boats Tahrir and MV Saoirse by the Israeli navy was peaceful, organisers of this latest Freedom Wave to Gaza say it was aggressive and dangerous. The two boats were violently intercepted in international waters, says Michael Coleman, an Australian aboard the Tahrir, who is currently imprisoned in Israel.

Organisers in Sydney are outraged, saying Israeli forces water-cannoned, tasered, beat and shackled activists on the Canadian ship Tahrir who were seeking to challenge Israel’s illegal naval blockade of Gaza.

Dr Fintan Lane of the Irish boat MV Saoirse reportedly said: “The boats were corralled to such an extent that the two boats collided with each other and were damaged, with most of the damage happening to the MV Saoirse.”

Coleman was finally able to speak for just over a minute to his father John Coleman on Sunday after nearly 40 hours in Israeli detention.

He told his father: “We were intercepted in international waters, illegally boarded by about 30 armed Israeli troops and forcibly taken to Israel against our expressed will. We were assaulted and thrown around. I had my arm twisted hard up my back. One activist was tasered.

“We have been hand-cuffed and shackled, sleep-deprived, with our watches impounded and the clock in the prison set to the wrong time. This is all designed to disorient and demoralise us. But our spirits are high.

“We are political prisoners, defending the rights of Palestinians. We have refused to sign any statement that we came illegally to Israel. We were headed for Gaza, not Israel. We were forcibly, violently and illegally taken to Israel against our will.

Many goodwill messages for Coleman have been received. Australian journalist, writer and filmmaker, John Pilger wrote: “Be assured the great majority of humanity is with you in spirit … All power to you.”

Australian writer and journalist Antony Loewenstein wrote: “The silence of the political and media elites over both Michael's imprisonment and the suffering of the Gazan people proves how Zionist ideology has corrupted our democratic process.”

Free Gaza Australia spokesperson Vivienne Porzsolt says: “We are calling for the immediate release of Michael and the other brave activists. The maltreatment of international peace activists is unacceptable but pales in comparison with the treatment of Palestinians by Israel. Just last week 9 Palestinians were killed and 2 more yesterday.

“Initiatives like the Freedom Waves would be unnecessary if Israel would finally end this illegal blockade. Western governments, including Australia, must hold Israel accountable for its defiance of international law. Israel’s impunity must stop.”

Comments

Stay strong guys. World don't need a traditional massmedia to get some information, world citizens already know about you. Occupy Boston protest in front of Israeli consulate and Anonymous cyber protest is a nice example. I'm proud of you. Greetings from Slovakia. J
Every night we turn on the Main News Channels in the UK and see a totally different, and false Conservative "Newsmilkshake" on what is going on in the World. Rarely do we hear about Bloggers imprisoned in Egypt. A "Democracy Now" journalist arrested on Peace ships trying to enter the Gaza, shore and break the illegal Israeli blockade. Neither does it mention that 175 innocent children have been killed by coward,evil US drone strikes in Pakistan. If one compares the news Channels like the BBC,ITV and SKY, to the independent ones, it really shows these compliant stooges up who work for the aforementioned Channels what their priorities are in making big money and pleasing their US/UK/ISRAELI GOVERNMENT MASTERS happy at the same time with their carefully controlled subject matter. The real axis of Terror and evil is perpetrated by the three countries mentioned and the world is heading on a downward step to disaster and oblivion unless their mindset changes and there is true radical reform in new elected parties, who will never go to war and occupy other countries, and murdering their citizens for Minerals like Gold and Silver, their Oil supply and just wanting to boss and tyrannise the whole strategic areas. On a footnote it is time to free the Greek people of bullying tyrannical Euro politicians and their Bankster friends, and free them from the Euro straitjacket they are in. Leave the satanic monster called the Euro and it;s Union, NOW!

You need Green Left, and we need you!

Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.