A German activist detained by Israeli authorities following an aid flotilla to Gaza has accused Israeli prison guards of sexual assault during her imprisonment. Anna Liedtke, 25, who joined the fleet delivering humanitarian aid last autumn, claims she was raped by female guards after being intercepted by Israeli forces on October 8 while in international waters. The activists, including Liedtke, were taken to Israel and held for five days.
Liedtke alleges she was subjected to multiple illegal strip searches, with the assault occurring during the third search. She also suspects that male guards may have witnessed and recorded the incident. Her legal representatives in Israel have formally filed a complaint regarding the allegations.
“There is no reason for me to be ashamed,” Liedtke stated, emphasizing the importance of speaking out to prevent similar abuses from happening to others. Several other activists from the flotilla have also reported sexual assaults. Law enforcement authorities in Australia are investigating claims of rape and torture involving their nationals, while French prosecutors have initiated a war crimes inquiry into allegations of torture against flotilla participants.
Israeli authorities have denied the allegations. A spokesperson for the Israeli military dismissed the claims of abuse during the flotilla interception, and a representative of Israel’s prison service described Liedtke’s accusations as “entirely unsubstantiated,” rejecting any claims of rape or systematic mistreatment by prison personnel.
Anna Liedtke’s lawyer, Muna Haddad, expressed concern that such violations are not isolated, asserting that sexual violence has been a recurring issue against Palestinian detainees and is now allegedly extending to foreign nationals showing solidarity with Palestinians.
Earlier this year, Israel dropped charges against five soldiers accused of sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee from Gaza. The case led to broader controversy, including the resignation and subsequent arrest of Israel’s senior military lawyer, Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, over the unauthorized release of CCTV footage related to the alleged assault.