Dutch activists to report sexual violence by Israeli troops

Dutch activists who joined an aid flotilla to Gaza say they will file criminal complaints alleging sexual violence by Israeli soldiers, the organisation behind the voyage has told news agency ANP.

A spokeswoman for the Global Sumud Flotilla said one participant was forced to undress, grabbed by his genitals and humiliated in other ways. Female participants were also made to strip, she said.

The organisation said it is also filing complaints alleging assault, humiliation and torture. Activists suffered serious injuries, including broken ribs and nerve damage, it said, citing medical files, forensic reports and X-rays.

Kneeling for hours
Dutch participants have previously spoken about their detention. Cerisa van Kesteren said she spent at least eight hours kneeling with her hands behind her back, while fellow activist Jesse van Schaik said one detainee had two teeth knocked out.

The organisation said earlier that several participants were victims of sexual violence, including rape.

The flotilla set sail in April carrying aid for Gaza, with 428 activists on board, six of them from the Netherlands. Israeli forces intercepted and boarded the vessels in international waters and took those on board to the port of Ashdod against their will.

Prime minister Rob Jetten described the treatment of the detainees as degrading at the time.

In France, the public prosecutor’s anti-terrorism unit has opened an investigation into whether Israel committed war crimes and torture against French participants.