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This week, seven Australians returned home after being detained by Israel.
They had been part of the Global Sumud Flotilla – more than 400 activists from 56 countries trying to reach Gaza by sea, carrying food and medicine.
Four days after they set sail from Turkiye, Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters and took the passengers to Israel.
Then Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, released footage of detainees bound on the ground, as he stood over them and taunted them.
Israel says the operation was lawful and that no one was harmed. But the Australians who have now returned say they were beaten, humiliated, denied food and water, and held for almost 80 hours.
Today, in part one of a two-part episode, filmmaker and flotilla participant Juliet Lamont on what she says happened from the moment Israeli forces reached her boat.
7am has contacted the Israeli embassy for comment.
And a warning, this episode contains reference to sexual assault.

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Guest: Flotilla activist, Juliet Lamont
Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi
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Lawyers for the Australians detained after Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla are now building a record of what happened.
They’re reviewing footage, collecting medical evidence, and taking witness statements alleging beatings, humiliation, denial of food and water, and detention in harsh conditions.
The legal team says the evidence points to serious abuse of Australian citizens – and amounts to crimes.
So now the Australians are home, the question is what happens next: whether Australia will do more than condemn, and whether Israel will face any consequence.
Today, human rights lawyer Bernadette Zaydan, who represents the 11 Australians on the Global Sumud Flotilla, on what accountability looks like.
This is part two of a two part episode. If you haven’t already, go back and listen to our conversation with flotilla participant, Juliet Lamont.

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Guest: Lawyer representing the Australian flotilla activists, Bernadette Zaydan
Photo: @itamarbengvir via X
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Australia is again being forced to reckon with the violence being inflicted on women and children.
The PM is adamant a royal commission isn’t the answer, dismissing the idea in an interview that’s gone viral. But his sudden disdain for royal commissions is out of step with what thousands of Australians want to see in response to the scourge of domestic violence.
After another devastating week, thousands of people from all walks of life have backed calls for a royal commission into the killing of women and children at the hands of an intimate partner or someone they know.
Today, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek, on the pressure for a national reckoning, the limits of government response, and the growing concern about how violence is shaping the lives of young people.

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Guest: Social Services Minister, Tanya Plibersek
Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch
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The Federal Court has ordered Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue to pay the Yindjibarndi people $150.1 million.
It is the biggest native title compensation payout in Australian history.
But for Yindjibarndi leaders, the judgment is complicated. The payout is historic, but it is far below the $1.8 billion they were seeking.
The case goes back more than two decades – to Fortescue’s Solomon Hub mines in the Pilbara, which were built on Yindjibarndi land without the agreement of the traditional owners.
And the payout includes only about $100,000 for economic loss, despite Fortescue making billions from the mines.
Journalist Ben Abbatangelo tells the story of Michael Woodley – the Yindjibarndi lawman who took on Andrew Forrest – and asks: what is the true cost of mining someone else’s Country?
This episode was originally published in May 2024.

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Guest: Ben Abbatangelo
Photo: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright
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The federal budget has been hit by a fierce campaign from large sections of the media and a handful of high-profile millennial entrepreneurs. But so far, Labor’s polling has remained relatively unscathed.
But that doesn’t mean voters are happy. People might not be shifting their votes over this budget, but many still feel there’s nothing in it for them right now.
For the Coalition, that should be an opening. Instead, it's One Nation turning that frustration into real momentum.
Today, Director of Strategy and Analytics at RedBridge Group, Kos Samaras, on Labor’s budget woes, the Coalition’s failure to capitalise, and the populist right’s growing hold on Australian politics.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

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Guest: RedBridge Group Director, Kos Samaras
Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.