Victorian Greens have called on Foreign Minister Penny Wong and the Albanese Government to intervene urgently after 11 Australians were detained by the Israeli Defence Force while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

According to the reports, the Australians were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international humanitarian mission established to transport urgently needed food, medicine and other relief supplies to Palestinians in Gaza.

On 14 May, the 11 Australians departed from Türkiye to join approximately 500 activists and humanitarian volunteers from around the world. The flotilla aimed to sail through international waters toward Gaza, where aid agencies have repeatedly warned of catastrophic humanitarian conditions caused by severe shortages of fuel, clean water, food and medical supplies.

According to organisers, Israeli forces began intercepting the flotilla on Monday, 19 May, in international waters west of Crete.

Representatives of the mission reported that 38 boats were seized and nearly 400 activists detained, with their whereabouts and well-being initially unknown.

Five of the 11 Australians had already been involved in a previous interception by Israeli forces two weeks earlier while travelling from Italy to Greece. During that operation, 22 vessels were reportedly seized and destroyed.

Organisers alleged that activists were detained aboard what they described as a prison ship for nearly two days and subjected to violence, abuse and the confiscation of their passports.

Despite the latest interception, organisers indicated that 13 boats continued to sail toward Gaza. A parallel land convoy was also travelling through Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt to deliver aid to Palestinians.

The Victorian Greens have condemned the detention and criticised what they described as a muted response from Canberra. Party representatives argued that the government had been too reluctant to impose sanctions on Israel or suspend arms-related trade despite widespread allegations of serious human rights violations in Gaza.

The Victorian Greens argued that the detention of Australian citizens demanded an immediate and forceful response from Canberra, accusing the federal government of failing to take a sufficiently strong stance against the Netanyahu administration.

Party representatives contended that the Albanese Government had been too reluctant to impose sanctions on Israel or halt arms-related trade, despite widespread allegations of serious human rights violations in Gaza.

According to Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell, “My office has been inundated with messages of concern from everyday people for their fellow Australians, yet we’ve had silence from this Labor Government.”

“In the face of government inaction, these brave people have taken it upon themselves to deliver aid to the people in Gaza. The least the Australian Government could do is intervene to protect these Australians, who have been illegally kidnapped by the Israeli Defence Force.”
Ellen Sandell

Greens Accuse Albanese Government of Inaction Over Australians Detained by Israel

Moreover, Australia’s Greens Party has intensified pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, accusing the federal government of failing to act after Australian citizens were reportedly detained by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for International Aid and Global Justice, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, condemned the government’s response, arguing that Canberra had remained silent while Australian citizens were taken into custody.

“Israel is able to commit acts of piracy and kidnapping in international waters with complete impunity because countries like Australia refuse to stand up for their citizens.”
Mehreen Faruqi

She noted that a previous humanitarian flotilla was intercepted last month and highlighted that the latest detention demonstrated a continuing pattern of action against aid missions seeking to reach Gaza.

“Just a few months ago, the PM and Foreign Minister were wining and dining the President of the genocidal Israeli regime. They should have already picked up the phone to demand the release and safe passage of all Australians aboard the Flotilla, and they should leave no stone unturned. Instead, we have silence.”
Mehreen Faruqi

Senator Mehreen Faruqi further described it as deeply disturbing that the Labor government continued to regard Israel as an ally despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza, arguing that even the detention of Australian citizens had not triggered a stronger response from Canberra. In her view, the situation was profoundly appalling.

“We know that there are no limits to Israel’s cruelty, no limits to the laws they will break, and our hearts and prayers are with the brave Australians and their comrades aboard this flotilla,”
Mehreen Faruqi