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Australian activists held in Israeli custody have described experiencing what they call “demeaning and insulting conditions” following their detainment onboard a flotilla transporting aid to Gaza.

One detainee, McEwen, stated he was slapped and experienced a dislocated arm and had his head forced into the ground.

Medical Worries and Detention Environment

A second participant, Juliet Lamont, voiced grave fear about her well-being, stating she was at danger of a medical emergency after her prescription drugs were seized by Israeli security forces.

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

McEwen and Lamont are among seven Australians confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to have been detained in Israel.

Officials mentioned they are offering consular assistance to the individuals, including through in-person visits.

Claims of Poor Facilities

They are being held in a high-security prison in the desert region and assert that they and fellow inmates were offered water that was contaminated due to a strong chemical taste.

He told consular staff that he had been held in a enclosure with 80 other people without food or water, while being subjected to abuse from Israeli officials.

Lamont stated that upon arriving the detention center, she was taken to a room with female detainees and berated by officials, who labeled them “terrorists”.

Arrest and Handling Information

The care worker, aged 40, and Lamont, in her fifties, were arrested on Thursday when their vessels were intercepted by the naval forces.

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

Australian representatives met with the Aussie detainees on Friday.

Based on a report reviewed by media outlets, McEwen described “abusive and insulting behavior” after being taken to the port of Ashdod.

He stated that his morale was poor due to sleep deprivation techniques and threatening conduct from detention staff.

Relatives Worries and Health Problems

McEwen’s parent, Jacinta McEwen, a healthcare professional, said she had been calling Dfat for regular information and was worried about the “intense” conditions her son was experiencing.

“I am concerned about his dislocated shoulder, head injury, and lack of medical attention,” she remarked.

McEwen thought her son’s return was being delayed because he declined to sign a form admitting he had breached immigration laws.

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

McEwen also informed officials that authorities had torn up pages of his travel document because it was electronically embedded.

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

Differences in Arrest Experiences

While he stated his arrest on board the vessel was carried out with little violence, she – sailing on a separate boat – described a “demeaning” experience.

She claimed her hands were bound behind her back, she was targeted with a high-pressure hose, and was left to sit in an stifling space with her hands restrained and clothes drenched for seven hours.

During this time, she reported her head was forcibly pushed by Israeli forces.

Detention Environment and Health Impact

Both are being held in Ketziot prison, which is mainly utilized to hold Palestinian prisoners, many of whom Israel accuses of involvement in militant or terrorist activities.

After Australian officials visited her, they observed she was “emotionally distressed”, crying multiple times during the visit.

The mother of two was described as feeling thirsty, feeble, lightheaded, and disoriented.

Lamont said a guard had informed her that tap water was unsafe to drink, and she believed her dehydration was worsening her high blood pressure.

On the day of her detainment, after her daily medication was confiscated, she stated a doctor – after checking her blood pressure – had provided her one dose of medication.

But after Australian officials saw her, they noted she was feeling lethargic, disoriented, and lethargic, and concerned she was at risk of stroke.

Her appeal to consult a physician had gone unanswered.

Global and Relative Reactions

A representative for Global Movement to Gaza Australia expressed concern that her friend was at risk of dying without access to medication.

Julie Webb-Pullman of another Aussie detainee, Bianca Webb-Pullman, said she had obtained a call from Australian officials giving a verbal account of their visit to the facility.

She described that her daughter had been exposed to mistreatment, humiliation, threats, and was physically handled and pushed.

She was also placed in a courtyard in the heat for several hours with no protection, sustenance.

She further described a faucet with unclean liquid, meaning she had drunk no or little water in an extended period.

Government Statements

Dfat replied to inquiries with a statement that said the Australian government 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 reached out to detention authorities, the Israel Defense Forces, the foreign office, and the diplomatic mission, but none responded to a request for comment.