Flotilla

Activists detained by Israel after attempting to deliver aid to Gaza as part of Global Sumud Flotilla arrive in AustraliaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralians returning home from detention in Israel say they were abused, tortured and demeaned while in custody and have asked to meet with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese.Nine of the 11 Australians who joined more than 400 people from around the world on an aid flotilla to Gaza returned home on Monday, where they were met with hundreds of supporters after landing at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane airports. Continue reading...

Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall said to be exploring ways independents can work more closely together. Follow today’s news liveTeal party speculation ‘not a surprise’ says cabinet ministerMark Butler says he’s not surprised to see speculation that the community teal independents could form a party – with the political spectrum in “flux” right now.They’ve [teal independents] obviously made inroads in particular communities in Australia. They’ll make their own assessment about whether that works for them.There obviously is a lot of flux in the non-Labor parts of politics right now, so to see speculation like that’s perhaps not a surprise. Continue reading...

Israeli prison service denies claims of abuse, including beatings, during detention of 430 people trying to take aid to Palestinians• Ben-Gvir’s template of televised abuse was honed on PalestiniansActivists released from Israeli custody after being detained on a flotilla trying to take aid to Gaza were subjected to abuse, organisers have alleged, with several hospitalised with injuries and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape.Israel’s prison service denied the allegations, and Reuters was not able to verify them independently. Continue reading...

Targeting of foreign activists drew global outrage from governments that have not acted on violence against Palestinian detaineesIsrael’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has made abuse of detained Palestinians something of a macabre calling card, celebrating cruelty publicly and often on video.During his time in office, violence including rape, extreme hunger and humiliation have been normalised in Israeli jails. Rights groups say detention centres have become “torture camps” for Palestinians. Continue reading...

• Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party is undergoing a structural overhaul, facing the necessity to dissolve and reconstitute several of its local branches. • In international news, Israel has deported activists associated with a Gaza flotilla, while Australia's feral horse population in the Kosciuszko region continues to surge. • At the Giro d’Italia, Afonso Eulálio extended his overall lead following Alec Segaert's successful attack on stage 12.

Eleven Australians were among pro-Palestine activists detained by Israel from the Global Sumud flotilla. Follow today’s news liveGood morning and welcome to Friday, we’ve made it. It’s Nick Visser here again to take you through the day’s news. Here’s what’s on deck:The 428 activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, including 11 Australians, have now been released by Israeli authorities after they were detained earlier this week. One of those Aussies said they were in custody for about 80 hours and denied food and water, “but it is nothing compared to what happens to Palestinians”. Continue reading...

Australia’s foreign minister condemns video posted by Israel’s national security minister taunting detained activists. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has condemned the actions of Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who posted a video of himself abusing bound activists captured while trying to sail an aid flotilla to Gaza.Wong joined international condemnation of the footage, which shows Ben-Gvir waving an Israeli flag, mocking and taunting the detainees, including shouting: “The people of Israel live” in the face of one bound man. In a statement, Wong said: “The images we have seen are shocking and unacceptable”.We condemn the actions of Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir – who Australia has sanctioned – and the degrading actions of Israeli authorities towards those detained. I have asked Australia’s Ambassador to Israel to make representations to Israel, reiterating our call for the release of the detained Australians and for Israel to ensure no ill treatment of any detainees and to act in line with international obligations. Continue reading...