Australian Activist Surya McEwen ‘Brutalised’ by Israeli Authorities: Arm Dislocated, Head Slammed into Ground, and Racially Profiled in Prison
- Mullumbimby man Surya McEwen, 32, detained by Israel after attempting to breach naval blockade of Gaza
- Reports of physical abuse, including dislocated arm and head slammed into ground, spark outrage and calls for Australian government intervention
- Mother Jacinta McEwen pleads for PM Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong to ‘stand up for my son’ and bring him home
In a shocking development, Australian activist Surya McEwen has allegedly been subjected to brutal treatment by Israeli authorities after being detained for attempting to breach the naval blockade of Gaza. According to reports, McEwen’s arm was dislocated, and his head was slammed into the ground, sparking widespread outrage and calls for the Australian government to intervene.
McEwen’s mother, Jacinta, has expressed her deep concern and anger over the Australian government’s handling of the situation. “I’m just absolutely shocked that Prime Minister Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have not even contacted me as his mother, have not said anything about this,” she said. “I’m urging the prime minister and Penny Wong and anyone who has some position of power like that to help our Australian citizens, to contact Israel and say we want our people home now.”
McEwen, a 32-year-old from Mullumbimby on the Far North Coast of NSW, was detained on October 2 along with hundreds of other activists as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to bring food and medical supplies into Gaza. He has been held in Israel’s notorious Ketziot Prison, where he has allegedly been subjected to sleep deprivation techniques, physical intimidation by guards, and racial profiling due to his Indian heritage.
According to a redacted diplomatic summary obtained by the ABC, McEwen was placed in a large cage with 80 other people for many hours while Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited and yelled abuse at them. The summary also alleged that McEwen’s Australian passport was ripped up when he was detained at sea, and he was initially separated from the main group of prisoners.
McEwen’s brother, Anandan, spoke at a press conference in Ballina, expressing his concerns and demanding action from the Australian government. “[Surya] is not extreme, he is so simple, caring, he’s an everyday Australian,” he said. “We are really worried about him because of his mistreatment.”
The Israeli authorities have rejected the allegations presented by Australians in their custody, but the Australian government is under increasing pressure to act. McEwen’s family and supporters are calling for his immediate release and return to Australia, and for the government to take a stronger stance in protecting the rights of its citizens.
In a heartfelt plea, Jacinta McEwen urged the Australian government to ‘stand up for my son’ and bring him home. “Please, I just want my son to come home,” she said. “I want him to be safe, and I want him to be free.”