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Australian activists detained in Israel have reported experiencing what they call “degrading and humiliating treatment” after their detainment onboard a flotilla transporting aid to Gaza.

An activist, Surya McEwen, claimed he was struck and experienced a shoulder injury and had his head slammed into the ground.

Health Worries and Prison Conditions

Another activist, Juliet Lamont, expressed serious fear about her health, saying she was at danger of stroke after her prescription drugs were seized by Israeli security forces.

She portrayed the detention facility as “oppressive” and noted that her appeal for more medication had not been fulfilled.

McEwen and Lamont are among a group of Aussies verified by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to have been detained in Israel.

Authorities mentioned they are providing consular assistance to the individuals, including through direct meetings.

Allegations of Poor Conditions

The activists are being detained in a high-security prison in the desert region and allege that they and other detainees were offered water that was undrinkable due to a foul odor.

He informed Australian officials that he had been kept in a enclosure with dozens of individuals without sustenance, while being exposed to verbal attacks from Israeli officials.

She stated that upon arriving the detention center, she was taken to a room with other women and berated by guards, who labeled them “militants”.

Interception and Treatment Details

The care worker, aged 40, and the documentary film-maker, 54 years old, were detained on last week when their vessels were intercepted by the Israeli navy.

They were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla involving 42 vessels and more than 450 people, including parliamentarians, lawyers, and campaigners.

Dfat officials visited the detained Australians on the following day.

According to a report reviewed by sources, he detailed “degrading and humiliating treatment” after being taken to the port of Ashdod.

He stated that his morale was low due to restriction of rest and threatening conduct from Israeli prison guards.

Relatives Concerns and Medical Problems

His mother, Jacinta McEwen, a healthcare professional, expressed she had been calling authorities for regular information and was worried about the “full-on” situation her son was experiencing.

“If he’s got a dislocated shoulder and he’s had a head injury and he hasn’t received any medical aid, I’m worried about that,” she remarked.

She thought her son’s deportation was being hindered because he refused to sign a form acknowledging he had entered Israel illegally.

The flotilla argues it was wrongfully stopped by the Israeli navy in open sea.

He also informed representatives that authorities had destroyed pages of his travel document because it was electronically embedded.

Both individuals discarded their mobile devices into the sea before their capture.

Variations in Detainment Experiences

Although he stated his arrest on board the vessel was executed with minimal force, Lamont – sailing on a different ship – described a “humiliating” experience.

She claimed her hands were zip-tied behind her back, she was targeted with a water cannon, and was made to sit in an unventilated area with her hands tied and clothes soaked for seven hours.

During this time, she said her head was repeatedly shoved down by officials.

Prison Conditions and Health Effects

Both are being held in Ketziot prison, which is primarily used to hold inmates, many of whom Israel alleges of involvement in militant or terrorist activities.

After Australian officials met with Lamont, they noted she was “emotionally distressed”, weeping repeatedly during the visit.

The parent was described as feeling thirsty, feeble, dizzy, and disoriented.

She said a guard had warned her that tap water was contaminated, and she believed her dehydration was exacerbating her high blood pressure.

On the day of her arrest, after her prescription was taken, she stated a physician – after measuring her vitals – had provided her one dose of drugs.

But after Australian officials visited her, they reported she was feeling weak, disoriented, and lethargic, and worried she was at risk of stroke.

Her appeal to consult a physician had gone unanswered.

Global and Family Responses

A representative for the activist group expressed fear that her acquaintance was at risk of succumbing without access to medication.

The mother of another Aussie detainee, Bianca Webb-Pullman, said she had obtained a update from authorities giving a verbal account of their inspection to Ketziot prison.

Webb-Pullman described that her daughter had been exposed to abuse, degradation, threats, and was physically handled and pushed.

She was also left in a courtyard in the sun for five hours with no protection, sustenance.

She further described a faucet with contaminated water, meaning she had drunk no or little water in days.

Government Statements

Dfat replied to questions with a message that said the authorities had “expressed to Israeli officials the need for detainees to be treated humanely according to global standards”.

“We again urge Israel to allow continuous, unrestricted humanitarian aid to reach Gaza,” the announcement added.

Sources contacted detention authorities, the military, the foreign office, and the diplomatic mission, but none replied to a request for comment.