Labor MP Dan Repacholi is demanding “urgent clarification” after a pro-Palestine activist from his electorate was among several Australians detained by Israeli forces while trying to deliver aid to war-ravaged Gaza.
Zack Schofield was one of 14 Australians who sailed from Italy this week as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla – an international initiative organised by activists to breach the Israeli blockade on Gaza and get supplies into the Palestinian territory.
More than 50 boats were involved in the latest attempt.
Israeli forces on Thursday intercepted 22 boats in international waters near Greece and detained at least six Australians, including Mr Schofield.
“I am aware of reports of an incident involving a young man from the Hunter region who was on board the Global Sumud Flotilla near Greece earlier today,” Mr Repacholi said in a statement overnight.
“I understand this is a distressing situation for his family, friends, and the broader community, and there are real concerns about his safety and wellbeing.
“I am in contact with Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s office and relevant authorities to seek urgent clarification regarding his whereabouts and condition.
“My thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.”
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said officials were “urgently seeking an update on the status of Australians” from both Israeli and Greek authorities.
They said officials “stand ready to provide consular assistance to any affected Australians” but that “our ability to provide support in Israel and Palestine is limited at this time due to ongoing instability in the Middle East”.
“We continue to urge Australians not to join others seeking to break the Israeli naval blockade, as they will be putting themselves and others at risk of injury, death, arrest or deportation,” the spokesperson said.
“We encourage those wishing to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza to do so through established channels.”
Amnesty International Australia has decried the Israeli action, with a spokeswoman saying
it was “appalling that activists participating in a peaceful solidarity mission aiming to break Israel’s unlawful blockade of the Gaza Strip and deliver medical aid and supplies to people facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis – due to conditions deliberately imposed by Israel – have been arbitrarily detained once again”.
“Israel’s brazen and unlawful interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels and the arbitrary detention of dozens of activists underscores the dangerous consequences of decades of impunity for Israel’s ongoing atrocity crimes against Palestinians, including genocide in the Gaza Strip and apartheid, and its unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory,” she said on Friday.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said all detainees were “unharmed” and would be released in Greece.
“All participants in the provocative flotilla who were taken off the vessels were taken off unharmed,” he said.
“In co-ordination with the Greek government, the individuals transferred from the flotilla vessels to the Israeli vessel will be disembarked on a Greek beach in the coming hours.”
He called on anyone looking to give humanitarian support to Gazans to do so through official channels, adding that Israel “will not allow the breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza”.
