Australian Federal Police inquiring into flotilla activist claims of assault by Israeli defence personnel

Australian Federal Police have begun inquiries into allegations that Israeli defence personnel sexually assaulted Australian activists who were detained after joining a humanitarian flotilla attempting to reach Gaza last month.

A group of Australian activists met with Foreign Minister Penny Wong at Parliament House on Monday, in an “emotionally charged meeting” where the activists said they received an assurance the AFP would investigate their claims. The Global Sumud Flotilla has also lodged a submission with the International Criminal Court alleging war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and other breaches of international law by Israeli forces.

Activist Juliet Lamont said Senator Wong was receptive during the half-hour meeting, joined by the AFP and Multicultural Minister Anne Aly, which largely centred around the trauma the women allege they suffered. While Ms Lamont considered the investigation “a win”, she said they had not met three other demands by the group, including a call to publicly condemn Israel’s treatment of the activists.

An Israeli embassy spokesperson categorically rejected the allegations, saying they had “already been proven to be false”.