Seven UK Flotilla Activists Allege Torture After Israel Deports Them Over Gaza Aid Interception
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 24
Seven UK Flotilla Activists Allege Torture After Israel Deports Them Over Gaza Aid Interception
5 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 24
Seven UK activists returned to London Stansted on Saturday after Israel deported them following the interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters.
The group said detainees were "systematically tortured and abused over two days" on Israeli vessels and in prison, with organisers alleging at least 15 sexual assaults and other activists reporting beatings.
Katy Davidson said handcuffs left marks after guards tightened them; Elliott Roberts said soldiers threw him to the ground, possibly breaking his spine, and then denied him medical treatment.
Israel had boarded more than 50 flotilla boats west of Cyprus on Monday and Tuesday, calling the mission a Hamas-serving "PR stunt" and saying only a token amount of aid was onboard.
The IDF and Israel's prison service rejected the abuse claims, saying detainees were treated lawfully and respectfully, while the allegations could not be independently verified.
Activists allege systematic torture, Israel denies all. How can the truth of the flotilla raid ever be verified?
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