The Australian Federal Police (AFP) will commence inquiries into allegations of abuse and sexual assault made by Australian members of the Global Sumud flotilla against Israeli authorities, following a meeting with Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday afternoon.
AFP Confirms Inquiries
The AFP confirmed it met with members of the group at Parliament House and has begun inquiries into allegations made by a representative of the group. Guardian Australia understands that a formal report of crime has not yet been submitted, which would trigger a full investigation into claims that the activists were abused, tortured, and in some cases sexually assaulted by Israeli authorities while detained after attempting to deliver aid to the occupied Palestinian territory.
Government Response
Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly, and senior AFP officers met with the group to listen to their experiences directly, a spokesperson for Wong said. The minister condemned the actions of Israeli authorities and Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has already been sanctioned. Wong raised the allegations multiple times and made clear to Israel that Australia expects an independent, transparent investigation.
