Activists who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, including 11 Australians, have been released by Israeli authorities after being held for more than 80 hours in an Israeli detention facility.

The 428 activists were taking part in a flotilla, heading towards Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid when they were apprehended by Israeli authorities,. They were released in Türkiye, where they are being assisted by Australian officials and lawyers.

Australian activist Zack Schofield said they were “treated really poorly” by Israeli officials.

“Many of us haven’t eaten for days,” he said. “We were denied water for two days… But it is nothing compared to what happens to Palestinians in the occupied territories every single day.”

On Thursday, Israel said it had deported all foreign activists. This comes after Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, posted a video to social media showing himself taunting the detained activists.

Speaking to RN Breakfast, minister for social services, Tanya Pilbersek, said the behaviour by Ben-Gvir was “shameful” and “disgraceful”.

“I think it was absolutely disgraceful behaviour and I’m very pleased to say that the foreign minister has said that in the strongest terms to the Israeli government,” she said.

“Our Australian ambassador in Israel has made the position of the Australian government very clear that this behaviour is completely unacceptable.”

Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, said none of the activists were harmed, and that the actions of Ben-Gvir “have been condemned from wall to wall from the leadership of the entire state of Israel”.

Photo: Hundreds of Tunisians gathered in Sidi Bou Said near Tunis to welcome the Global Sumud Flotilla by Brahim Guedich is available HERE and used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.