Aussies remain in Israeli detention

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Aussies remain in Israeli detention

AAP June 1, 2010, 8:00 pm

AFP © Enlarge photo

One Australian has been shot and four more are in Israeli detention after they were caught in a deadly clash over a humanitarian mission bound for Gaza.

The Australians were on board an aid flotilla trying to reach the Palestinian territory.

Nine people died when Israeli forces stormed the ships, sparking international condemnation. A 20-year-old Australian man has undergone surgery after being shot in the leg.

The incident has added further strain to the troubled relationship between Australia and Israel.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd spoke out against the violence and loss of life.

"The Australian government condemns any use of violence under the sorts of circumstances that we have seen," he told reporters in Canberra.

"Furthermore, we are deeply concerned about the loss of life which has occurred."

Mr Rudd called for Israel's blockade of Gaza to end.

Australia and Israel's usually cordial relations have become troubled with the attack on the aid convoy coming soon after the federal government expelled an Israeli diplomat.

The expulsion was in retaliation for Israel's use of forged Australian passports in an assassination in Dubai.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith also deplored the flotilla incident, describing it as "terrible and shocking" in a speech to parliament.

"I think very many Australians will be shocked by it," he said.

Australia called on Israel to conduct an independent inquiry into the incident straight away, and for that inquiry to be transparent.

The Australians in Israeli detention include two Fairfax reporters, Paul McGeough and Kate Geraghty.

They are understood to have refused an offer of deportation and are now in a detention centre at Beersheva. They have had their footage and equipment confiscated.

Peter Fray, editor of Fairfax's The Sydney Morning Herald, called on Israel to allow the reporters to tell their story.

Mr Fray said the reporters had "every right" to be on board the flotilla.

"We ask that Israel respect their right to do their jobs," he said.

The other detained Australians are two women who are understood to be unharmed.

Protests were held in Australian cities on Tuesday against Israel's actions. An estimated 4000 people stormed Sydney's Town Hall forecourt, chanting "Israel, USA, how many kids have you killed today?".

The crowd observed a minute's silence to remember the dead, standing by banners that read "Israel is a terrorist state".

In Canberra, about 120 protesters clasped candles and chanted in front of the Israeli embassy.

Palestinian flags were waved and some wore traditional scarves in a gesture of support.

The crowd heard that Israel had gone too far in attacking the convoy, and that the international community had to act swiftly or such actions would be repeated.

Protester Mahmoud Abujafar, who was born in the West Bank but lives in Canberra, said he had been feeling bad about the deaths all day.

"People came to help us, the people in Gaza, and they were killed," he told AAP.

He said he was feeling very proud of the Australians who had joined the aid flotilla.

Protesters chanted "free free Palestine" and "shame" as police guarded the gate to the embassy.

Earlier in the day, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the flotilla incident was "very distressing" and expressed his regret.

The opposition has not criticised Israel, saying more time is needed to sift through the differing claims about what happened.