Penny Wong says she believes Israeli soldiers sexually assaulted and abused Australian women after Gaza flotilla

The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong , says she believes the Australian women who have alleged they were raped and beaten by Israeli soldiers after being detained as part of a humanitarian flotilla attempting to bring aid to Gaza. Appearing at Senate estimates, Wong said the treatment of the Australian women was “unacceptable”, and the allegations they had subsequently made were “distressing”. “My principled position is to always believe women when allegations of sexual assault are made,” Wong said. Eleven Australians were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, sailing from Mediterranean ports in an attempt to deliver food, medicine and baby formula to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, blockaded by Israel . The boats were intercepted by Israeli naval forces and those onboard – unarmed civilians – were detained and deported, with some alleging violent abuse including beatings and rape. Israel has denied the allegations. Wong told the estimates committee: “Those allegations are terrible. They are horrific. The treatment is unacceptable. And I express my empathy to those women to whom that was done.” She said the Australian government had raised concerns with Israel over the treatment of flotilla sailors, and Israel’s refusal to grant Australian diplomats access to the Australians detained. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email The Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi detailed allegations made by some of the Australians detained by Israel. …