The crisis around the Gaza border continues to grow. Several of the activists detained by Israel after the interception of the boats have denounced having suffered “extreme violence”, “sexual humiliation” and physical attacks during their arrest and subsequent transfer to Israeli detention centers.
The accusations were released this Wednesday by the legal group Adalah, an organization that is providing legal assistance to hundreds of participants in the humanitarian mission and that has visited some of the detainees in the Israeli port of Ashdod.
According to the organization, the testimonies collected point to a pattern of “widespread physical and psychological abuse” by Israeli authorities.
Allegations of fractures, tasers and rubber bullets
Adalah assures that several activists have serious injuries and that at least three people have had to be hospitalized.
The group even speaks of “dozens of participants” with possible rib fractures and breathing difficulties after the actions of the Israeli forces during the boarding of the boats.
The lawyers also denounce the “frequent use of Taser guns”, as well as injuries caused by rubber bullets both during the interception at sea and already inside Israeli military vessels.
According to the statement, many activists were forced to remain for long periods in forced positions and subjected to “violent and degrading” transfers.
“The authorities forced them to walk completely leaning forward while the guards violently held their backs”denounces the organization.
Accusations of humiliation and Islamophobic violence
One of the most delicate aspects of the complaints refers to the alleged degrading treatment and the sexual harassment suffered by some participants.
Adalah maintains that several women reported humiliation during detention and also claims that Israeli agents tore off the hijab of some Muslim activists.
The organization considers that some behaviors were clearly Islamophobic in nature.
Meanwhile, Most of the detainees are being transferred to the Ktziot prison, in the Negev desert, the largest detention center in Israel.
Israel prepares deportations
The arrested activists will appear before an Israeli court this Thursday before their possible deportation.
Adalah has announced that she will try to be present at the court hearings to offer legal representation to the flotilla participants and continues to demand the “immediate and unconditional release” of all of them.
The new controversy comes just days after the major Israeli operation against the international flotilla that was trying to break the naval blockade.
