MEDIA RELEASE
7 October 2025
Israel must immediately release all illegally detained peace activists and aid workers and Australia must act to protect its citizens
With reports emerging of deliberate and systemic mistreatment of peace activists by the Israeli military and security personnel, the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) reiterate the demand for the immediate and unconditional release of MUA seafarer Hamish Paterson and all other crew members and activists detained by Israeli forces during their peaceful humanitarian mission aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The MUA also calls for swift and firm international action against a rogue nation state which is targeting non-violent aid workers and humanitarian volunteers with state sanctioned violence, imprisonment and psychological abuse in custody while slandering those same humanitarian aid volunteers as 'terrorists'.
International humanitarian law - including the Geneva Conventions - guarantees the unhindered passage of humanitarian aid and forbids the obstruction of relief efforts. UN Security Council resolutions on Gaza adopted since 2023 have reiterated the urgent requirement for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. The International Court of Justice, under the Genocide Convention, has issued binding provisional measures obliging Israel to prevent acts of genocide, prosecute incitement, and enable humanitarian assistance. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is also equally clear: the deliberate starvation of civilians and the obstruction of aid delivery constitute war crimes and must be prosecuted as such.
According to sources within the peace and aid movement, Australians including Hamish Paterson, Surya McEwen, Abubakir Rafiq, Juliet Lamont, Bianca Webb-Pullman, and Dan Coward remain in detention. The conditions of their imprisonment in Israel's Negev desert are dire, with reports from lawyers and human rights monitors of being bound and forced to kneel for long periods, deliberate sleep deprivation, the withholding of fresh drinking water and prescription medications, physical assaults in custody and the denial of legal representation.
Paddy Crumlin, International President of the ITF and National Secretary of the MUA, said:
"We condemn absolutely this unlawful interception and detention of people on a peaceful humanitarian mission. Our Union's member Hamish Paterson and many others are being held, abused, mistreated and denied basic rights - this must stop now."
"The Australian Government must demand full access, ensure their safety, and bring them home immediately. There must be a transparent, independent investigation into the abuses, and those responsible must be held to account."
The ITF has confirmed that over 450 crew members and activists, from more than 40 countries, were seized after the Israeli Navy intercepted the flotilla in international waters. The flotilla mission sought to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge the blockade of Gaza.
Crumlin added:
"This is not just an Australian issue - it is a global labour and human rights issue. Trade unionists, peace activists, journalists and aid workers should never be criminalised for standing in solidarity with people under siege.
"We call on all governments whose citizens are being unlawfully detained to press Israel to comply with international law, and on the United Nations and other bodies to investigate these violations. Australia must lead in protecting its citizens."
The MUA and ITF demand the Australian Government:
• Insist on immediate consular access, legal representation, health checks and independent oversight for all detained Australians
• Pressure Israel diplomatically and through multilateral channels to release detainees without delay
• Call for an independent investigation into alleged abuses and mistreatment
• Review Australia's defence, aid and arms export ties to ensure no complicity in human rights violations
The global labour movement stands in solidarity with all who sailed on the Sumud flotilla.
We will not rest until Hamish Paterson and all detainees are safely home, and justice is done.
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