URGENT PRESS RELEASE, 02 Jun 2026
Global Sumud Aotearoa Delegation Answers to the Israeli Embassy in Aotearoa / Questions to the Government of Luxon.
During and after the second Interception, 18-19 May 2026.
The first public reports about the physical and verbal abuse of New Zealander citizens and others, came in a video released by its own Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir. This video caused an immediate international reaction, with foreign ministers including our own Winston Peters, strongly condemning the mistreatment of flotilla members (1).
Some, like French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, banned Ben-Gvir from entering French territory indefinitely and recently, even stated that he had received a report from French diplomats in Turkey that “detailed sexual violence, exposure to cold, beatings and repeated humiliations of French nationals — all acts that could constitute criminal offenses”. Barrot added, “I decided yesterday to refer the matter to the public prosecutor. (2)”
It will be impossible for New Zealand to obtain a similar report, as there was zero consular presence to receive our compatriots arriving at the Turkish airport after being illegally detained by the Israeli Occupation Forces. Instead, Rana Hamida, Co-lead of the Global Sumud Aotearoa delegation, received them and provided them with the necessary care, including urgent family communication and accompaniment to the hospital.
Turkey, 22 May 2026.
Hāhona Ormsby, required medical assistance after being beaten, he was urinating blood due to blows to the genitals, tied to a chair and punched by Israel Occupation Forces (IOF). Ormsby was Interviewed by Anadolu Agency directly at the airport in Turkey. (3)
As a result of the torture, Ormsby currently suffers from several nerve damages in his hands.
(1) https://youtu.be/aiDAeHi-35Q?si=cmNGnIJG8dangpDC (2) https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260529-france-to-investigate-treatment-of-nationals-on-gaza-flotilla-after-reports-of-abuse
Mousa Taher, required medical assistance after being beaten, ziptied in stress position for hours, loss of circulation, knocked unconscious, hit in the back of his head multiple times, by Israel Occupation Forces (IOF) they even threatened his kids at home in New Zealand.Taher was Interviewed by Anadolu Agency directly at the airport in Turkey. (4)
As a result of the torture, Taher currently suffers from several nerve damages in his hands.
Julien Blondel, required medical assistance to clean wounds caused by point blank shots from a shotgun with a "bean bag" (5) from the first interception (6). In the second interception Blondel witnessed small metal cubes packed in cloth, these were shot from a shotgun by the Israel Occupation Forces (IOF).
First Interception “bean bag”
(4) https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/-they-made-us-crawl-gaza-flotilla-activist-recounts-abuse-in-israeli-custody/3945281 (5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bean_bag_round (6) https://www.solidarity.co.nz/international-stories/sumud2
The forms of torture perpetrated against New Zealand citizens by Israeli forces is not new. Palestinians have endured such mistreatment for over 80 years. You only need to have a look at The Israel Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories B'TSELEM (7), which confirms in details the systematic abuse of the Palestinian people.
It was made public on 29 of May 2026 that UN added Israel to a blacklist for sexual violence in conflict (8), citing abuse by security forces, including the rape of male detainees. The UN verified the sexual abuse of 31 Palestinian men, women, and children from the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank between 2023 and 2025. The report stated that Israeli attacks included repeated gang rapes and the use of sexual violence as a form of torture.
Torture is one of the most serious violations of international law because it is absolute, applied in times of both war and peace, and lacks any legal justification. New Zealand has been a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) since 1986 and ratified it in 1989. This means that it is obligated to prohibit, prosecute, and investigate torture, as well as not to be complicit in or assist in its commission.
OUR GOVERNMENT IS OBLIGATED to take active measures; this is not limited to ceasing financial aid, but we must halt arms or parts, end all military cooperation and defense alliances and implement sanctions. This is what our obligations under international law demand.
Why hasn't Christopher Luxon imposed sanctions on Israel? Why does he still maintain relations with a government that commits torture, including against NZ citizens? Global Sumud Aotearoa demand answers from the government.
“On my way back I almost mourned the death of my country. I'm a proud Kiwi. My grandfather George Whale, fought for New Zealand in World War II. From my Pakeha (non-indigenous Māori) side, you learn about the nuclear-free New Zealand movement, you learn about the anti-Apartheid Springbok Tour protests, you learn about the attack and sinking of Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior, you learn about New Zealand being the first country to give women the vote. You think your country is special, and has a sense of justice, a sense of doing what's right, and standing up to the giants even if that’s going to cost us. I just don't know where that place is anymore.” Mousa Taher, interviewed by Eugene Doyle in http://www.solidarity.co.nz (9)
(7) https://www.btselem.org/publications/202601_living_hell
(9) http://www.solidarity.co.nz
Malaysia Plans ICJ Case Against Israel Over Alleged Abuse of Gaza Flotilla Activists Malaysia is preparing to initiate legal proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over alleged abuse of activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted in international waters, a senior official has announced.
Amirudin Shari, Chief Minister of Selangor, said on Monday that the Malaysian government int