"Welcome to Israel": Sexual assault, extreme violence reported by Gaza aid flotilla activists

Hundreds of activists on a flotilla aiming to bring aid to Gaza arrived in Turkey on Thursday, after being deported from Israel and said they were subject to abuse during their time in detention there. "There were three people there who, saying 'Welcome to Israel', ... beat us savagely," an Italian lawmaker alleged. Activists recounted incidents of being beaten, tased and sexually assaulted after their boats were intercepted in international waters, and they were seized by Israeli forces. "We've been beaten, tortured, systematically dehumanized and we have just had a little taste of what the Palestinians go through every day," said Richard Anderson, an activist on the Norwegian delegation.  Western governments voiced outrage on Thursday after Israel’s security minister posted a video of himself taunting the activists being pinned to the ground.  Israel's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the activists' allegations. Activists who were part of previous flotillas intercepted by Israel, also said they faced abuse by Israeli forces, something Israel rejected. For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Follow Global News on X HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on TikTok HERE: https://www.tiktok.com/@globalnews.ca?lang=en #GlobalNews #flotilla #gaza #palestine