IN BRIEF
- Survivor testimony and medical evidence have been submitted to the ICC by Gaza aid flotilla participants.
- Israel rejects mistreatment claims, saying detainees were treated with 'great sensitivity'.
Australian participants in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have joined an official submission to the International Criminal Court (ICC) alleging they were subjected to torture, sexual violence and other abuses while detained by Israeli authorities.
According to a statement issued by the Global Sumud Flotilla, the submission lodged in The Hague contains survivor testimony, medical examinations and legal affidavits gathered following the interception and detention of flotilla participants during missions earlier this year.
The group said the submission alleges war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and other violations of international law arising from the interception and detention of flotilla participants during its Spring 2026 missions.
The allegations have not been tested in any court proceedings. Israel has rejected allegations that flotilla participants were mistreated while in custody.
Flotilla organisers said medical evidence, witness testimony and sworn legal affidavits submitted to the ICC challenge Israeli officials' account of events.
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Australian lawyer Bernadette Zaydan is among those involved in presenting evidence to the court.
Zaydan said the submission was seeking accountability.
"The Israeli Ambassador looked Australian families in the eye and said our people were treated with 'great sensitivity'," flotilla organiser Subhi Awad said in a statement.
"Our people were beaten. Our people were tortured. Our people suffered sexual violence."
Awad said Australians deserved answers about the treatment of participants in Israeli custody.
"Who do Australians believe, Israeli officials, or Australian survivors? Who do Australians believe, the perpetrators, or the evidence?" he said in the statement.
The group also alleged that one Australian humanitarian worker was injected with an unidentified substance while in Israeli custody.
"Neither the survivor nor the Australian public has been told what the substance was, why it was administered, or what the potential health consequences may be," Awad said in the statement.
The submission comes as organisers point to the inclusion of the Israeli Prison Service on a United Nations list relating to conflict-related sexual violence.
Australian flotilla participant Juliet Lamont criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for declining requests to meet with those detained following their return.
"Australian survivors have travelled halfway around the world seeking justice through international legal processes. Yet the prime minister will not even meet with them," Ms Lamont said.
"If Australian survivors can be heard in The Hague but not in Canberra, something has gone badly wrong."
The Global Sumud Flotilla is calling for independent international investigations into the allegations and accountability for those responsible.
Australians involved in the mission include Neve O'Connor, Juliet Lamont, Zack Schofield, Surya McEwen, Sam Woripa Watson, Anny Mokotow, Bianca Pullman Webb, Ethan Floyd, Violet Coco, Gemma O'Toole and Helen O'Sullivan.
Israel's prison service has denied allegations that flotilla participants were abused while in custody.
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