… or resign
Media Release
Head of the Australian Delegation of the Global Sumud Flotilla calls on the Prime Minister to Join International Condemnation of the Abuse of Flotilla Participants Taken Hostage by Israel.
Simon Jones said that Albanese’s silence is extraordinary in the light of reaction by the governments of European allies, the UK and countries around the world.
“The Israeli ambassador to Canberra should be summoned or sent home,” said Jones.
The depraved glee displayed by Ben Gvir in his vast black shirt during his self recorded festival of malice is shocking. That his minions (also in black) comply with this psychologically warped exercise is damning of Israel.
We are deeply concerned for all 318 participants, the 11 courageous Australian friends and their families.
Ben Gvir has called for prolonged imprisonment of flotilla members.
“Our reaction to watching healthy, bright, brave, peaceful humanitarians being harmed in real time pales beside our concern for what occurs off camera,” Jones said.
During the last Global Sumud Flotilla mission, humanitarian volunteers reported severe mistreatment, including the deprivation of medicine and medical care, routine humiliation and degradation, physical violence, torture techniques, sexual assault, and cruel and unusual punishment.
The hostages are likely to be taken to Ktzi’ot, one of Israel’s most notorious torture prisons, located approximately 140km south of Ashdod.
Subhi Awad, Palestinian-Australian and Global Sumud Flotilla Australian spokesperson :
“Ktzi’ot prison is where it has been repeatedly reported that Palestinians are routinely tortured and raped to death. We demand our Australian government not only step in and show some responsibility for our citizens but also enact their moral and legal obligation to stand up for human rights for the Palestinians being killed in the prison cells next to them.”
DFAT and lawyers have yet to connect with Australian flotilla participants.
This Israeli own goal underscores global grief for Palestinians experiencing the full extent of Israeli cruelty across the decades since 1946. Nakba has never ceased.
Lawyers agree that Israeli interception and kidnapping practices in international waters violate the Law of the Sea. Abandoning boats mid-ocean is an act of environmental vandalism, endangering other shipping.
Israel’s denial and destruction of many tonnes of crowd-funded essential medical aid and food also affects every individual Sumud supporter. The needless Israel-curated suffering from supply shortages during their blockade of Palestine has drawn the comment of international aid agencies and the UN.
The Flotilla did obtain, load and carry aid. We recorded ourselves doing so. Israel denies concrete fact.
“The Australian Government must disconnect from Israel”, said the Australia Head of Delegation. “We cannot remain enmeshed with systematic human rights abusers of any stripe”.
A vigil was held at Kirribili House yesterday.
A key member of our team, Palestinian Subhi Awad, was arrested yesterday for peacefully blocking the gates of a Brisbane factory where weapons bound for Israel are manufactured.
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Australia’s response to this latest Israeli outrage is a disgrace. Where is the criticism, no outright condemnation of Israel’s act of piracy in International waters? Once again the government’s capture by the Zionist lobby is reinforced. How long is the Israeli ambassador to be allowed to remain and tell his lies at the National Press Club?