The Australian media has reported how the Australian Federal Police are now investigating claims by the Australian flotilla participants that they were raped and tortured by Israel.
Australian Federal Police have begun inquiries into allegations that Israeli defence personnel sexually assaulted Australian activists who were detained after joining a humanitarian flotilla attempting to reach Gaza last month.
A group of Australian activists met with Foreign Minister Penny Wong at Parliament House on Monday, in an “emotionally charged meeting” where the activists said they received an assurance the AFP would investigate their claims.
The Global Sumud Flotilla has also lodged a submission with the International Criminal Court alleging war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and other breaches of international law by Israeli forces.
An Israeli embassy spokesperson categorically rejected the allegations, saying they had “already been proven to be false”.
“Regarding their claims of physical and sexual assault, to date, no credible evidence has been presented, and no formal complaints have been submitted to the embassy,” the embassy said through its social media account.
“They are professional provocateurs and their credibility should be judged accordingly.
“Israel will continue to address any allegations through the appropriate legal and investigative channels, not through trial by media.”
Activist Juliet Lamont said Senator Wong was receptive during the half-hour meeting, joined by the AFP and Multicultural Minister Anne Aly, which largely centred around the trauma the women allege they suffered.
“She [Senator Wong] definitely believes we were kidnapped, that we were tortured and that we were imprisoned and that some of us were raped. So that has been established that she believes that,” Ms Lamont told reporters following the meeting.
“The AFP have committed to taking on an independent investigation.”
Police said in a statement they had begun inquiries in line with a “victim centric, trauma-informed approach” and would provide an update at a later time.
The group said they were encouraged to submit their testimonies of abuse to the police, who would then reach out to Israel to collaborate on an investigation.
A spokesperson for Israel’s embassy in Australia has previously said the allegations had not been substantiated.
While Ms Lamont considered the investigation “a win”, she said they had not met three other demands by the group, including a call to publicly condemn Israel’s treatment of the activists.
Neve O’Connor said their demand to expel the Israeli ambassador had been “met with division”.
Senator Wong has raised the allegations multiple times with Israel and advocated for an “independent and transparent investigation”, her office confirmed.
As I have documented extensively on this website, it is almost certain that the participants have been lying about their experiences. Their physical appearances and inconsistencies in their stories simply do not add up. Here’s a reminder as to just a few examples:
1/ How do you know the flotilla participants are lying?
— David Lange (@Israellycool) May 26, 2026
They are moving their lips.
Exhibit A: Neve O'Connor, who can't quite get her story straight when it comes to the violence to which she was supposedly subjected pic.twitter.com/1U6ieYqO8h
Flotilla participant Juliet Lamont is still changing her story, as evidenced by her two latest interviews.
— David Lange (@Israellycool) June 9, 2026
Which is it?
▪️She could easily ID her rapist as the largest man or she couldn't discern anything, even what was supposedly inserted inside her?
▪️One said "Welcome to… https://t.co/Jlq2jhnf3V pic.twitter.com/5ehu1Mpkf4
And here’s the thing: It is bad enough that Penny Wong or her office have not done the due diligence as I have, given what is at stake here (Heck, you needn’t have studied medicine for a year like Penny Wong did to realize the physical appearances are not consistent with the allegations). What makes it worse is I personally brought these concerns to Penny Wong’s attention via her social media account, where she or members of her staff are clearly active.
I cannot help but think the reason for this is Wong’s hostility towards Israel, as evidenced by her statements and policies.
The question now is not so much what happened on that flotilla, but whether Penny Wong will be forced to face the music once their allegations are found to be bogus.
