Australian activists’ testimony that they were physically and psychologically abused by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is met with skepticism. This incident came after their assistance vessel, the Handala, was turned back from the coast of Gaza on Sunday. Among the 21 activists on board were Chris Smalls, Tania “Tan” Safi and Robert Martin. These women have since spoken out about their horrifying experiences while in detention.
Chris Smalls, the only black man in the group, described a terrifying trauma at the hands of the IDF. He was subjected to intentional asphyxiation, choking, punching and kicking to his legs. Abo Sada told us that she was shot in the leg with military machine gun fire during the confrontation. Eyewitness accounts reveal that Smalls had been held down by seven or eight soldiers throughout the ordeal.
As you can see, Safi, Martin, and their compatriots were subjected to extreme physical and mental trauma while in custody. Safi explained how she and other released detainees felt “a bit wobbly” and “very sore and weak” once released. She described blacking out and sleeping for about 16 hours after the incident.
Robert Martin, who was “manhandled” as he and others first sought legal representation. He urged attention to the basic rights denied to them while in their detention.
“We had no rights … I have a lot of medication, they didn’t allow any medication at all,” – Robert Martin.
The activists were feared to be in critical condition, but with support from the Australian embassy they were taken to an Australian hospital in Jordan shortly after their release. It was only there that they discovered the full degree of their physical incapacitation.
“We did not realize how poor our condition was until we were hooked up to the IV in hospital and told we were ‘really unwell’,” – Tania “Tan” Safi.
Based on IDF testimony, no less than 30 members of the IDF boarded the Handala on interception, all of them allegedly armed. Safi remembered being first totally blown away by their face.
“They pulled me out and threw me down on the floor. They made me take off all my clothes; they strip-searched me right there,” – Robert Martin.
Both Safi and Martin shared that in-custody they were shackled and denied communication with the outside world, including their lawyers. They allege that soldiers attempted to intimidate them into signing papers that inaccurately recorded their illegal entry into Israel. In response, they adamantly reject these charges.
“We were taken completely against our will and brutalised psychologically in every way,” – Tania “Tan” Safi.
The psychological trauma went deep for Safi. She powerfully portrayed her experience, stating that she observed first-hand “the soullessness and the cruelty and brutality” occurring within the detention centers. Remembering times of depression and anxiety, she said,
“We thought they were going to just dump us there. That was very, very scary for us, not knowing, having no phone, no money, no access to anything,” – Robert Martin.
The activists went on to articulate their displeasure with just how they were handled throughout this process. Martin responded to what he saw as a very manipulative tactic used by the IDF.
“They were playing this odd psychological game of offering water and food with the camera crew, trying to get us to accept things from them, but none of us would,” – Robert Martin.
Fresh from their release from Israeli custody, the activists returned to Australia with disturbing memories of their time in detention flooding back.
“It feels like a bit of a dream at the moment to be honest … it’s been a rough ride,” – Tania “Tan” Safi.