Senator Lidia Thorpe has expressed solidarity with Global Sumud Flotilla participants, including Wiradjuri, Wailwan and Ngiyampaa activist Ethan Floyd, who is returning home today after being detained by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Thorpe has called on the Albanese Government to condemn the use of force and review Australia’s relationship with Israel.
Senator Lidia Thorpe has expressed solidarity with Global Sumud Flotilla participants, including Wiradjuri, Wailwan and Ngiyampaa activist Ethan Floyd, who is returning home today after being detained by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Thorpe has called on the Albanese Government to condemn the use of force and review Australia’s relationship with Israel.
Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:
"Ethan and other humanitarians took peaceful action to deliver much-needed aid to the people of Gaza. They should never have been met with violence.
Reports that people were shot with rubber bullets, beaten and detained after their boats were boarded in international waters are deeply disturbing and demand urgent scrutiny.
The actions of Israeli forces are clear breaches of international law. Israel has no jurisdiction in international waters to arrest, detain or brutalise civilians.
The Albanese Government cannot stay silent when its citizens are subjected to this kind of treatment.
My thoughts are with those returning home injured and traumatised, and with those still in detention whose safety remains at risk.
No one delivering humanitarian aid should face violence or intimidation. These individuals acted out of humanity and solidarity with the people of Gaza.
This is part of a broader pattern of Israel acting with impunity, while its allies, including the Albanese Government, turn a blind eye.
There must be consequences for violations of international law.
We must not forget the people of Gaza, who continue to face a humanitarian catastrophe and are still being killed by the Israeli regime despite the so-called “ceasefire”.
The Albanese Government should impose sanctions on Israel and end all military cooperation with them."