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5:53AMWednesday, October 8th, 2025
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Middle East
Aussie activist claims he was abused in Israeli prison
An Australian who was detained after attempting to deliver aid to Gaza alleges he had his arm dislocated while detained in an Israeli prison.
Brielle Burns
October 8, 2025 – 12:36PM
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theaustralian.com.au
Greta Thunberg says Israel’s flotilla halt violates international law
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg hit out at international politicians in a video statement released on Monday (October 6), saying her…
An Australian who was detained in Israel after attempting to deliver aid to Gaza alleges he was abused and had his arm dislocated while in custody.
Surya McEwen, from Mullumbimby on NSW’s Far North Coast, was one of seven Australians detained after Israel’s navy intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to break the aid blockade into the Gaza Strip last week. The group has since been released and deported to Jordan, the office of Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed.
In a statement provided to SBS, Mr McEwen alleged he had his head slapped to the ground, his arm dislocated and suffered sleep deprivation after he was detained by Israeli authorities.
Surya McEwen was one of seven Aussies detained in Israel. Picture: Instagram@surya.sails.for.gaza
Mr McEwen alleged his arm has been dislocated. Picture: Instagram@surya.sails.for.gaza
The Australian alleged he was placed in a large cage with 80 other people while Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir yelled abuse at them.
He also claimed he was sharing a cell in Ketziot prison, in southern Israel, with 12 other people who were subjected to physical intimidation and sleep deprivation techniques.
The allegations come after Mr McEwen shared a video on Instagram last week revealing he had been detained.
“My name is Surya McEwen from Australia. If you’re watching this, I’ve been kidnapped by the IOF (Israeli Occupation Force) and taken to Israel against my will on a civilian humatrian mission to deliver aid, ” he said in the video.
“Please demand the government free me and the other Australians.”
Mr McEwen’s mother, Jacinta, told the ABC she was “very worried” after reading the summaries revealing what her son and others have endured after they were detained.
“She also claimed the report alleged her son’s Australian passport was ripped up when he was detained.
She urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to “stand up for our citizens”.
“Stand up for my son.”
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Mr McEwen’s brother, Anandan, described his Mr McEwen as “an everyday Australian”.
“[Surya] is not extreme, he is so simple, caring,” he said.
“We are really worried about him because of his mistreatment.”
A group of ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza are shown moored at the small island of Koufonisi, south of the island of Crete on September 26, 2025. Picture: Eleftherios Elis / AFP
Mr McEwen and six other Australians were among hundreds detained after authorities seized the mass flotilla on Thursday.
The Global Sumud Flotilla organisers have identified the other Australians as Abubakir Rafiq, Hamish Paterson, Juliet Lamont, Bianca Webb-Pullman, Cameron John Tribe, and another person whose identity has not been made public.
A spokesman for Senator Wong said the government was “pleased” the group have been “released from detention”.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to provide consular assistance to Australians who were detained in Israel,” they said.
Israeli officials said on Monday 171 activists have been deported. It brings the total number or people deported to 341, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
A spokesman for Senator Wong said the government was “pleased” the group have been “released from detention”. Picture: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg (C) and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila (R), along with other activists, after the Israeli navy intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla. Picture: Israeli Foreign Ministry / AFP
‘Really relieved’
Sydney-based Abubakir Rafiq was also among the Australians detained in Israel.
Hajar Rafiq said she was “over the moon” to hear her bother has since been released.
“My body has been running on adrenaline for six days now, just not knowing what’s going to happen,” she told AAP.
“I’m ecstatic. I’m just really relieved.”
Hajar and Hudayfa Rafiq, siblings of Sydney man Abubakir Mohammad Rafiq who is among the detained. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers
In a video shared by ‘stand4palestineaus’ on Instagram, Sydney University Muslim Students’ Association (SUMSA) reacted to Mr Rafiq’s release.
“He’s one of the boys literally,” the group’s former President said in the video.
“When the boys heard of it (his capture), when the Muslims heard of it they immediately thought you know I’m going to be the next person on that mission.”
”When Abubakir was taken in we saw 10 other brothers, in fact an entire community step forward (saying) we’re going to be the next person who come on this mission.”
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Students react to Aussie’s release in Israel
Sydney University Muslim Students’ Association (SUMSA) respond to the release of Sydney based…
Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said on Tuesday department officials had conducted in-person checks on the Australian detainees and were ensuring they were being treated with “dignity and respect”.
He said Australia’s consular staff had “certainly made our views known to the Israeli government” to ensure the Australians were being “treated in accordance with international law”.
Mr Thistlethwaite also urged Australians not to enter the war zone, saying conditions were not safe and there was a risk of detention.
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“We have been warning people not to go,” he told the ABC.
“Nonetheless, these people have gone and they are now detained, and we as a government are working through our officials as quickly as possible to ensure that they are treated humanely and that they return to Australia safely.”
– With NCA NewsWire
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