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Aussie campaigners detained in Israel have reported experiencing what they call “degrading and humiliating treatment” following their arrest aboard a humanitarian convoy carrying aid to Gaza.

An activist, Surya McEwen, stated he was struck and experienced a dislocated arm and had his head forced into the ground.

Health Worries and Detention Environment

A second participant, Juliet Lamont, expressed serious fear about her well-being, stating she was at danger of stroke after her prescription drugs were seized by authorities.

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

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

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

Claims of Poor Conditions

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

McEwen told Australian officials that he had been held in a cage with 80 other people without sustenance, while being subjected to abuse from authorities.

She stated that upon reaching the detention center, she was taken to a room with female detainees and berated by officials, who called them “militants”.

Interception and Treatment Information

McEwen, in his forties, and Lamont, in her fifties, were detained on Thursday when their vessels were stopped by the naval forces.

They were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla comprising 42 vessels and hundreds of participants, including lawmakers, lawyers, and campaigners.

Australian representatives met with the detained Australians on Friday.

Based on a account seen by sources, he detailed “degrading and humiliating treatment” after being taken to the port of Ashdod.

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

Family Worries and Health Issues

His mother, Jacinta McEwen, a healthcare professional, expressed she had been contacting Dfat for daily updates 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 declined to sign a document acknowledging he had breached immigration laws.

The convoy argues it was wrongfully stopped by the naval forces in open sea.

McEwen also told officials that Israeli soldiers had torn up pages of his passport because it was microchipped.

Both activists threw their phones into the sea before their arrest.

Variations in Arrest Experiences

Although he stated his arrest on board the Mia Mia was carried out with minimal force, she – sailing on a separate boat – recounted a “demeaning” experience.

She claimed her hands were bound behind her back, she was sprayed with a water cannon, and was left to sit in an stifling space with her hands restrained and clothes drenched for seven hours.

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

Prison Conditions and Medical Impact

Both are being detained in the facility, which is primarily used to detain inmates, many of whom authorities accuses of engaging in unlawful acts.

After consular staff met with her, they observed she was “deeply upset”, crying multiple times during the visit.

The parent was reported as feeling thirsty, weak, lightheaded, and disoriented.

Lamont said a official had informed her that water from taps was contaminated, and she believed her lack of fluids was exacerbating her hypertension.

On the day of her detainment, after her daily medication was taken, Lamont explained a doctor – after checking her blood pressure – had provided her one dose of medication.

But after Australian officials visited her, they reported she was feeling weak, confused, and lethargic, and concerned she was at danger of a health crisis.

Her appeal to see a doctor again had received no response.

Global and Relative Reactions

A representative for Global Movement to Gaza Australia expressed fear that her friend was at danger of dying without necessary drugs.

The mother of another detained Australian, her daughter, stated she had obtained a update from Australian officials giving a verbal account of their visit to Ketziot prison.

She reported that her child had been exposed to abuse, humiliation, threats, and was physically handled and pushed.

She was also left in a open area in the sun for five hours with no shade, food or water.

She added a faucet with contaminated water, meaning she had consumed minimal fluids in days.

Government Responses

Australian authorities responded to inquiries with a message that declared the authorities had “expressed to Israeli officials the need for detainees to be treated humanely according to global standards”.

“We repeat our call on Israel to enable the sustained, unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” the announcement added.

Sources contacted detention authorities, the military, the Israeli ministry for foreign affairs, and the diplomatic mission, but none replied to a query.