JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Activists from South Africa who were taken into custody after their vessels were stopped while attempting to break through Israel’s Gaza blockade claimed Saturday that Israeli forces beat and tortured them while in detention.
The Global Sumud Flotilla consisting of 50 ships was stopped Monday in international waters approximately 250 miles (400 kilometers) from Israel’s coastline as participants attempted to break the blockade and bring humanitarian supplies to Palestinians in Gaza. The detained individuals reported being confined for multiple days at Israel’s K’tziot prison, where several claimed they received electric shocks during questioning about their involvement in the flotilla operation.
Israeli officials have rejected claims of abuse against the detained flotilla participants, stating the allegations were “false and entirely without factual basis.” No immediate response was available regarding Saturday’s accusations.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators and family members welcomed the activists as they returned to South Africa from Turkey on Saturday morning.
The activists reported experiencing particularly brutal treatment once Israeli forces discovered their South African nationality, given that South Africa has brought Israel before the International Court of Justice with genocide accusations regarding Gaza.
“Water was withheld from us for extended periods. The food they provided was unfit for human consumption. Bathroom access was denied for many hours, and when we began to object, rubber bullets were fired at us,” activist Faizel Moosa stated.
Moosa, who previously fought against apartheid during South Africa’s struggle against white minority governance, described the detention conditions as the most severe he had ever endured.
“Having been detained under the apartheid system during our liberation fight, this experience was significantly worse. This demonstrates the daily reality that Palestinians face,” Moosa explained.
Dr. Margaret Connolly, who participated with an Irish group in the flotilla, described never feeling such terror while detailing the dehumanizing detention conditions.
She reported witnessing people being struck with firearms. Prisoners who had their clothing removed and were refused blankets were forced to crowd together in cold temperatures to avoid hypothermia.
Connolly, the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly, was part of 15 Irish participants who received enthusiastic welcomes from supporters and relatives upon arriving in Dublin on Saturday.
She stated that Israeli personnel failed to supply adequate water or hygiene supplies, and her medical equipment was seized, preventing her from delivering appropriate medical treatment. She noted that bread packaging and clothing fabric used for bandages and arm supports were subsequently confiscated.
“Their intention was for us to endure suffering,” Connolly stated. “Many soldiers speaking with American accents yelled down: ‘You should have thought of this before you came.’”
Three Chilean citizens who were held by Israel during their attempt to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid also returned home Saturday, where they condemned the Chilean government for what they characterized as failure to act in securing their freedom.
Víctor Chanfreau, Claudio Caiozzi and Carolina Eltit participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla. A substantial crowd of supporters welcomed the three at Santiago’s airport with Palestinian flags, protest signs and cheering.
“The Chilean government performed terribly, which was expected,” Chanfreau informed reporters at the airport, describing the Chilean Foreign Ministry’s diplomatic response during their detention as “negligent.”
Eltit described being assaulted and confined “under terrible conditions, without toilet paper, one restroom for 190 individuals, lying in the sun, bound at hands and feet.”
Connolly criticized the Irish government for declining to impose sanctions on Israel.
Activist Qutb Hendricks urged the South African government to increase pressure on Israel by prohibiting coal sales and other supply exports to the nation.
