Australian flotilla activists join ICC submission against Israel, provide testimony

Australian flotilla activists join ICC submission against Israel, provide testimony Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 06/01/2026 - 04:29 Submission to The Hague includes survivor testimony and medical records, organisers say Member of Global Sumud Flotilla arrives on stretcher at Istanbul Airport after deportation from Israel, 21 May 2026 (Ozan Kose/AFP) Off Australian participants in the Gaza-bound  Global Sumud Flotilla  have joined a submission to the International Criminal Court, reporting being subjected to sexual abuse and torture while in Israeli  captivity.  The submission, lodged in The Hague by organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla, includes survivor testimony, medical examinations and sworn legal affidavits gathered after Israeli authorities blocked flotilla missions attempting to deliver aid to Gaza during the spring of 2026, according to a statement issued by the group. Flotilla activists were abducted and jailed by Israeli authorities while in international waters. Some 430 activists, who were held after Israeli forces raided the Palestine-bound aid flotilla, were deported to Istanbul.  Footage showed activists arriving at airports clad in grey prison tracksuits and keffiyehs with their fists raised, as families and supporters greeted them. Upon arrival, the activists reported being fired at with rubber bullets, beaten and subjected to sexual assault while in Israeli captivity. Organisers said the filing alleges war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and other violations of international law linked to the interception and detention of participants. Flotilla participants said the evidence submitted to the ICC challenges...

Original source: Middle East Eye