Penny Wong says she believes Israeli soldiers sexually assaulted and abused Australian women after Gaza flotilla

Key points

• The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, says she believes the Australian women who have alleged they were sexually assaulted and beaten by Israeli soldiers after being detained as part of a humanitarian flotilla attempting to bring aid to Gaza.
• Appearing at Senate estimates, Wong said the treatment of the Australian women was “unacceptable”, and the allegations they had subsequently made were “distressing”.
• “My principled position is to always believe women when allegations of sexual assault are made,” Wong said.
• Eleven Australians were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, sailing from Mediterranean ports in an attempt to deliver food, medicine and baby formula to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, blockaded by Israel.
• The boats were intercepted by Israeli naval forces and those onboard – unarmed civilians – were detained and deported, with some alleging violent abuse including beatings and rape.