Kiwi activist returns from Gaza flotilla, alleges abuse by Israeli navy

A New Zealander who was detained by the Israeli navy last week has returned home, saying his ordeal was nothing compared with what people in Gaza face every day. Actor-turned-activist Will Alexander arrived at Christchurch Airport on Monday afternoon to cheers and clapping from supporters, according to the RNZ report.

Alexander was on board a flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza when the Israeli navy intercepted it and detained around 150 people, the report said. Alexander claimed that detainees were subject to abuse and were blindfolded and zip-tied during their time in Israel.

Speaking after his return, Alexander said: “We are not the story, we’re just activists, as one of our comrades said, we are the finger pointing at Gaza.” He added: “Don’t look at us, look at the genocide that is being committed by Israel, look at the inaction and impunity of governments like our own who are doing nothing to stop this.” He also said it was shameful that the New Zealand government had not recognised Palestine as a state.

Alexander described his own treatment and that of others. He said he and other detainees were abused as soon as they stepped off the boat, and that he and the other activists were “one by one beaten up.” He said he saw one man with about nine or 10 Israeli police officers surrounding him and that they “really, really hurt his neck.” He also said detainees were “wrestled” to an area where they were forced on to their knees for hours with their hands zip-tied behind their backs. These are Alexander’s accounts; the report does not include an independent confirmation of them.

According to Alexander, the detainees’ belongings were rifled through and stolen before they were blindfolded, put into a van and driven to Ktzi’ot prison, where they spent about a day and a half. He said he was put in a small cell with nine people, with sewage overflowing from a broken toilet, and that they woke to guns being pointed at them. The report notes that these are his claims.

Israeli officials had earlier denied allegations of abuse made by three other New Zealanders who had been detained, calling them “complete lies” and saying detainees’ rights were upheld. The deputy Israeli ambassador to New Zealand, Maya Simon, said all flotilla members were brought to shore healthy and safe, and that they received consular assistance and were either already home or waiting to be deported. Protecting people who cannot protect themselves is the concern the detainees’ accounts raise (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Alexander said Turkey flew him and others out of Israel, and that he made his own way home from Istanbul. He said he believed some detainees were still being held.

Source: Read the original report