The family of a Newcastle man among at least six Australians onboard boats that were intercepted by Israeli navy personnel in international waters has issued a tearful plea for his safety and lashed out at the Australian government for not intervening.
More than 50 boats set sail to Gaza from Italy on Monday as part of the Global Sumud flotilla in the hope of delivering 500 tonnes of aid and volunteers to the Gaza Strip, which remains under naval blockade by Israel.
Among those onboard the ships were 14 Australian citizens. On Thursday afternoon, Alexa Stewart, a spokesperson for the flotilla, said just two Australians – Jews Against the Occupation member Anny Mokotow and Brisbane resident Sam Watson – remained in communication and were still sailing to Gaza after 22 boats were intercepted in international waters west of the Greek island of Crete.
CCTV footage posted online shows members of the IDF boarding flotilla vessels sailing to Gaza, which had 14 Australians onboard. Photograph: Global Sumud Flotilla/ReutersStewart has alleged at least six Australians have been detained by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), including Newcastle climate activist Zack Schofield, University of Sydney student and Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa and Wailwan man Ethan Floyd, Neve O’Connor, Dr Bianca Webb-Pullman, Surya McEwen and Cameron Tribe.
Schofield’s partner, Sarah, said on Thursday that she wanted “every Australian to understand how scary this is”.
Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email“I got a text message telling me that he was OK and he loved me,” she said. “Then 15 minutes later I saw a video of him being abducted. How would you feel if that was your partner? Or your son? … How would you feel?”
CCTV footage posted online showed members of the IDF boarding the six Australians’ vessels. Afterwards, pre-recorded messages were published to social media announcing they had been “kidnapped … against my will”.
The remaining vessels carrying Australians had lost communication for at least four hours and were presumed to have been intercepted.
The Guardian has not independently confirmed whether the Australians are now detained by Israel or the status of the vessels.
The Israeli foreign ministry posted to X that it had found condoms and drugs onboard the “PR stunt flotillas”, a claim disputed by the flotilla’s media spokespeople.
‘I’m furious that our government hasn’t called me back yet’… Joanne and Peter Schofield, parents of Newcastle climate activist Zack Schofield. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAPSchofield’s parents, Joanne and Peter Schofield, said they were attempting to contact the foreign minister, Penny Wong.
“He’s on the flotilla because he is kind, smart and caring,” Joanne said between tears.
She said it was their expectation that the Australian government would “do everything they can” to secure the activists’ safety.
Hence then, the article about at least six australian activists detained by israel navy after gaza flotilla boats intercepted was published today ( ) and is available on NY Times News ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( At least six Australian activists detained by Israel navy after Gaza flotilla boats intercepted )
Also on site :
- Microsoft, Meta, and Google just announced billions more in AI spending. Only Google convinced investors it’s paying off
- Meta’s AI Is Delivering but Comes With a Hefty Price Tag .. PYMNTS.com
- 2026 Billboard Women in Music Red Carpet: The Best Photos