It hit me like a lightning strike. It was the latex gloves that did it. Those pale blue five fingered clinical sheaths made me want to vomit. Last Tuesday, having just been repatriated from my time on the Global Sumud Flotilla, I was at Tweed Valley Hospital getting a forensic medical examination for my sexual assault at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces.

In a media statement from the Global Sumud Flotilla, they say ‘The eleven Australian citizens who were illegally abducted by Israel on Monday evening as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla aid mission to Gaza are expected to be released shortly’. 

Australian humanitarian workers – Surya McEwen, Abubakir Rafiq, Hamish Paterson, Juliet Lamont, Bianca Webb-Pullman, and Cameron Tribe – remain in Israeli detention following their illegal abduction in international waters, where they have been subjected to systematic abuse and denied fundamental human rights.

Myocum local Captain Hamish Paterson will be joined by other local activists Juliet Lamont and her two daughters Isla, 24 and Luca, 26 as part of the eight-strong Australian and New Zealand delegation that will join the global flotilla sailing to Gaza

Supporters of forest protection activists Sharron Hodge and Juliet Lamont will gather outside the Coffs Harbour Court House this morning from 9am.