Australian Says Israeli Navy Beat Gaza Aid Boat Activists

Zack Schofield told ABC News that his crew members were beaten and shot with rubber bullets.

In short:

Zack Schofield was detained by the Israeli navy after taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla to deliver aid to Gaza.

He says he and his crewmates had a violent and distressing time in Israeli custody.

What's next?

Mr Schofield is now on the Greek island of Crete and plans to sail to Gaza again.

An Australian activist described a violent ordeal at sea after being detained by Israeli officials.

Zack Schofield was taken to hospital after being released by Israeli authorities on the Greek island of Crete.

All of my crew were placed in stress positions and forced to walk with our heads down.

We were searched, and our possessions were stolen or thrown in the ocean.

Mr Schofield said he was lucky compared to some of his fellow crew members who suffered concussions or broken ribs.

I witnessed violence perpetrated against many of my friends.

A friend of mine was taken into a shipping container and beaten by Israeli soldiers.

I saw elderly men shot at point-blank range with rubber bullets and a young woman punched in the ribs.

I accompanied her to hospital when we landed in Crete.

More than 100 activists on ships bound for Gaza were intercepted by Israeli forces.

The ABC has not verified Mr Schofield's claims, and Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied any mistreatment.

Israeli officials said passengers refused to transfer and began rioting violently.

A policing unit used force to move passengers who were violently resisting.

At no point were passengers mistreated, according to Israeli officials.

IDF flooded the deck to wake the crew.

Mr Schofield said he was forced to sleep outside on rubber mats with no blankets.

The Israelis flooded the deck with sea water to wake us up.

Greek Coast Guard vessels took the crew members from an Israeli vessel.

Israeli authorities accused the activists of a PR stunt and labelled them professional provocateurs.

We are trying to get food and medicine to Gaza, not to seek attention.

I'm not sure how anyone could argue we are just doing this to gain attention.

Mr Schofield intends to continue sailing to Gaza as part of the flotilla.

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