‘Take This Seriously’: Flotilla Activist Claims Beating Allegations Ignored By Government

Penny
Smith
Reporter

A New Zealand activist detained
as part of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla is calling on the
government to launch an independent investigation into allegations
of mistreatment by Israeli forces, after Australia
launched an inquiry into similar claims involving its
citizens.

Hāhona Ormsby, a member of the Global Sumud
Aotearoa delegation, said he and other New Zealand
participants were assaulted after their vessel was
intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters in
May.

Ormsby said he was disappointed by what he
described as a lack of action from the New Zealand
government.

“I would like our government to actually
take this seriously and actually hold Israel accountable for
this,” he said.

The comments come after the Australian
Federal Police launched an investigation into allegations of
rape and torture involving Australian citizens detained
during flotilla operations, following a request from
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Global Sumud
Aotearoa has accused the New Zealand government of failing
to investigate allegations made by New Zealand
citizens.

“Unlike Australia, France, Spain, Malaysia,
Türkiye and other countries, New Zealand and Foreign
Minister Winston Peters have failed to launch a government
investigation into the mistreatment of New Zealand
citizens,” the group said.

Ormsby also criticised the
government’s response to the incident.

“Calling in the
Israeli ambassador and slapping him with a wet bus ticket
over tea and scones does not count as meaningful action,” he
said.

The activist was promptly
ejected from Parliament this week after he questioned
Peters during
a scrutiny hearing.

Asked about contact with
officials, Ormsby said he received an email from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) on Wednesday
seeking further information about what had occurred, despite
the fact he had been back in New Zealand for close to a
month.

MFAT confirmed it was seeking information from
those involved.

“We are concerned by the serious
allegations raised by flotilla participants,” a ministry
spokesperson said.

“We have sought further information
from those involved in the flotilla interceptions in April
and May. This information has yet to be received.”

The
ministry said the government had raised expectations
directly with Israeli officials.

“At the time, the New
Zealand government said it expected Israel to adhere to its
international legal obligations, including in its treatment
of New Zealanders participating in the flotilla. This
expectation was raised directly with Israel’s Ambassador to
New Zealand and with Israeli officials.”

MFAT also
noted New Zealand’s long-standing travel advice for Gaza
remains “Do Not Travel”, warning of the risks associated
with attempting to enter Gaza by sea.

Global Sumud
Aotearoa said New Zealand should formally interview
returning activists and seek medical and forensic evidence
gathered by Turkish authorities after detainees were
transferred to Turkey.

Ormsby said he plans to respond
to MFAT’s request for information and hoped the government
would meet directly with New Zealand
participants.

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