The Australian Federal Police have launched an investigation into distressing allegations by pro-Palestine activists that they were sexually abused and brutalised by Israeli forces after trying to deliver aid to Gaza.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with four Global Sumud flotilla participants in Canberra on Monday afternoon alongside senior AFP officers, Department of Foreign Affairs officials and Minister for International Development Anne Aly.
The activists presented a dossier of their alleged mistreatment while detained by Israel last month, including claims of rape, kidnapping and torture.
Wong told Senate estimates hearings earlier this month that she believed the women’s allegations, which Israel has denied.
“They have committed to an independent investigation into our allegations of kidnapping, abuse, rape, torture,” Juliet Lamont, one of the activists, told reporters after the meeting.
“You couldn’t[hear] a pin drop in there. It was harrowing, it was acutely emotional.”
Asked how Wong reacted to their allegations, Lamont replied: “She said she believed us.”
Acting AFP Commissioner Lesa Gale attended the meeting, as did Hilda Sirec, deputy commissioner for national security investigations.
A federal police spokeswoman said: “The AFP has begun inquiries into allegations made by a representative of the group.
“The AFP engages with a victim centric, trauma-informed approach.
“The AFP will provide an update at an appropriate time.”
Lamont has alleged that she was sexually assaulted and beaten, cable-tied, and had so much water thrown in her face that she thought she was going to drown during her detention in Israel.
Lamont has alleged one of the soldiers raped her after wrenching her trousers and underwear down, and that other activists had guns inserted into them.
Patrick Keyzer, the father of one of the activists, said of the AFP: “They made it abundantly clear they would have an investigation.”
Keyzer, who attended the meeting, noted federal police have experience investigating crimes committed outside Australia.
A spokesperson for Wong said: “Minister Wong has raised these allegations multiple times and made clear directly to Israel that Australia expects an independent, transparent investigation.”
The Israeli embassy has dismissed the activists as “professional agitators” seeking to damage Israel’s reputation.
“Currently, no credible evidence has been submitted to the Embassy of Israel to suggest that any flotilla participants were sexually assaulted,” the embassy said in a statement earlier this month.
“Such claims are unsubstantiated and appear intended to advance the provocateurs’ broader smear campaign against Israel.
“As with any serious allegation, determination of guilt requires a formal complaint, a full investigation and be backed by credible evidence, not media interviews and hearsay.”
The activists said they were disappointed that Wong had indicated the government would not meet their other demands, including expelling the Israeli ambassador and ending the supply of Australian-made military components to the Israeli military.
Matthew Knott is the foreign affairs and national security correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via X, Facebook or email.
