Jewish Photojournalist TORTURED By The Israeli Government

A photojournalist released from unlawful Israeli imprisonment detailed her brutal treatment, including being hung from shackles and beaten. She was aboard a ship attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza when Israeli forces commandeered it in international waters, detaining 145 activists. The abuse, described as beginning immediately upon arrival at the port, involved multiple strip searches, physical penetration, looting of valuables, and being held in stressed positions with zip ties. She recounts being transferred to Kets prison, where detainees received dirty blankets and thin mattresses, and faced further abuse, including twisted handcuffs, beatings, and threats of rape.

The journalist's experience highlights systemic brutality within Israeli detention centers, drawing parallels to the treatment of Palestinian detainees and raising concerns about the government's actions despite claims of being a safe haven for Jews. The speaker criticizes the Israeli government's selective targeting of Jewish activists who oppose its policies, arguing that criticism of the government does not equate to hatred of the country or its people. The narrative also touches upon the complex issue of Jewish identity and the Israeli government's policies regarding individuals of Jewish descent, particularly Arab Jews.

The video emphasizes that the Israeli government's actions, including the detention and abuse of activists and the ongoing conflict, are enabled by external support, particularly from the United States. The speaker asserts that this support allows for the continuation of policies that are seen as fascist and genocidal, and calls for an end to such enabling actions. The ultimate goal expressed is the establishment of two free and safe countries, a secure Israel and a secure Palestine, rejecting the expansionist agenda of "greater Israel."

• A photojournalist describes being hung from shackles, beaten, and subjected to sexual violence during her unlawful imprisonment by Israeli forces after her ship was commandeered in international waters.
• During detention, activists experienced multiple strip searches, physical penetration, looting, and being held in stressed positions with zip ties.
• At Kets prison, detainees were provided with inadequate living conditions and subjected to further abuse, including beatings and threats of rape.
• The Israeli government is accused of targeting Jewish activists who criticize its policies, employing tactics similar to those against Palestinian detainees.
• The speaker calls for an end to US support that enables what they describe as the Israeli government's fascist and genocidal actions, advocating for two free and safe countries for Israelis and Palestinians.

Journalist's Experience of Israeli Detention [00:00]

• Released from unlawful Israeli imprisonment.
• Described being hung from metal shackles on wrists and ankles and beaten in the stomach, back, face, ear, and skull.
• She is a Jewish photojournalist who reported on the ground from Gaza for Drop Site News.
• She revealed the brutal treatment experienced while in Israeli detention.
• She is of Yemeni descent and was born in America.
• She was aboard the conscience boat with other journalists and medics heading to Gaza to break the humanitarian aid blockade and deliver aid.
• Israeli forces boarded and commandeered their ship in international waters.
• Israel detained 145 activists who participated in the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

The speaker detailed her traumatic experience of unlawful imprisonment and brutal physical abuse by Israeli forces. This testimony comes from a Jewish photojournalist who was part of a mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, highlighting the harsh realities faced by activists during detention.

This is Novabi Shaknel, released along with my colleagues from unlawful Israeli imprisonment earlier this morning, reporting for Drop Site News. I was hung from the metal shackles on my wrists and ankles and beaten in the stomach, back, face, ear, and skull.

Brutality and Abuse in Detention [01:52]

• The brutality began immediately upon arrival at the port.
• Detainees underwent multiple levels of administration and strip searches.
• At least one woman reported being physically penetrated by guards who laughed at her pain.
• Many flotilla members reported their valuables being looted by guards during bag searches.
• Hands were violently shoved towards the ground, and arms were held in stressed positions behind backs, often with zip ties.
• Detainees were led through processing and sorted into groups of men and women, then blindfolded.
• The journalist appeared significantly changed in a "before and after" comparison, showing the effects of the abuse.

This section details the immediate and pervasive abuse experienced by detainees, including sexual violence, theft, and physical restraint, emphasizing the dehumanizing nature of the treatment.

The brutality began immediately. We were taken through multiple levels of administration and the first of many strip searches. At least one woman has reported being physically penetrated by guards who laughed at her pain.

Criticism of Israeli Government and Policies [03:04]

• Israel claims to be the Jewish state and to represent Jews worldwide.
• The speaker suggests that Israel accepts individuals based on Jewish identity, even those who claim conversion, through the "Right of Return."
• Some Jewish groups in Israel reportedly oppose this, citing concerns about pedophiles entering the country.
• The Israeli government is characterized as prioritizing nationality over other concerns.
• Jewish Americans are reportedly targeted, especially if they support the peace movement, and are labeled "self-hating Jews."
• Arab Jews face different issues, with some believing they are more "authentically Jewish" due to a longer history.
• The speaker believes that calling oneself Jewish is sufficient and not her business, but notes it bothers some people in Israel.
• The treatment of the photojournalist, an Arab Jew, suggests that her Jewish identity did not prevent abuse when she was perceived as not supporting the nation-state of Israel or its government's actions.
• Criticism of a government does not equate to hating a country or its people.
• The journalist's reporting on the humanitarian aid blockade and the activists' attempt to break the siege was likely the reason for her mistreatment.
• The treatment of detainees, including Jewish journalists, is described as an abomination and disgusting.
• The speaker draws parallels to the treatment of Palestinian detainees, many of whom were held without charge.
• Israeli prison guards have been caught on camera sexually assaulting detainees.
• The Israeli government's claims of being the only democracy in the Middle East are questioned in light of these abuses.

This segment critiques the Israeli government's self-portrayal and its treatment of individuals, particularly Jewish activists and journalists, who are critical of its policies or actions. It argues that the government's priorities and actions contradict its stated values and draw disturbing parallels to historical human rights abuses.

Israel claims to be the Jewish state and they represent Jews across the world. And if you're like a a pedophile, they'll take you in. We did a story about that before. You just say, "Oh, I'm Jewish." And some, by the way, some people aren't even Jewish. They just claim to convert to Judaism. And then Israel says, "Right of return." Boom. And they take them in.

Conditions at Kets Prison and Further Abuse [06:26]

• Conditions worsened upon arrival at Kets prison.
• The journalist felt targeted and subjected to guards' brutality.
• Detainees were given dirty blankets and thin mattresses on the floor.
• Any flotilla member who upset Israeli guards faced tightened handcuffs and beatings.
• The journalist was hung from metal shackles on her wrists and ankles and beaten by a group of male and female guards.
• One guard sat on her neck and face, blocking her airways.
• Many detainees preferred to keep their identities private due to the treatment.
• In the evenings, men were tormented with attack dogs and guns.
• Women were threatened with pepper spray.
• Cells were awoken with threats of rape.
• Detainees were pressured to admit to illegal entry into Israeli territory, despite being detained in international waters.
• The journalist was kicked out of a meeting with a judge for translating for American detainees.
• After a few days, she and other members were transferred to a second prison where brutality continued.
• She was taken into solitary confinement, along with one other woman and a few men.
• No one was allowed to see their lawyers after leaving Ashud port.
• A headguard raised a walkie-talkie to the journalist's face as if to strike and taunted her in Hebrew.

This section details the severe deterioration of conditions and the escalation of physical and psychological abuse at Kets prison, including threats of sexual violence and denial of legal counsel.

She talks about how things got worse once uh the people who were detained by Israel arrived at the Kets prison where she says that she was targeted and subjected to the guard's brutality.

Singling Out Jewish Activists and Fascist Ideologies [09:11]

• The testimony of detainees is considered very important, despite the hatred for what happened to them.
• The state of Israel claims to be a safe haven for Jews, but the photojournalist was taken against her will and brutalized.
• A Jewish American activist stated that Israeli forces singled out Jewish activists for humiliation.
• Activists were violently forced to their knees in positions of submission.
• Two Jewish individuals from the flotilla were singled out for a "photo op" with a security minister, who reportedly taunted them.
• Many Jewish Americans are unaware of the realities in Israel, holding a romanticized view.
• A significant portion of Israel is described as lost to a "nationalistic cult."
• Stories from Israeli detention centers are horrific, with no regard for humanity.
• The behavior of Israeli guards is compared to that of Germans who abused Jewish people in the 1940s.
• The speaker states that this "fascist idea" moves from country to country and is not specific to any ethnicity.
• Humanity has an inherent capacity for such behavior, which is often released by absolute power.
• Absolute power held by a country significantly increases the chance of abuse.
• Israel has been enabled and aided by the US, leading to them going "totally out of control" and moving in a "fascist direction."
• There is a fight for Jewish Americans and Jews worldwide.
• The head of Palantir reportedly called a Jewish guy "the Antichrist," but this is seemingly accepted, unlike the abuse of Jewish people by Israel.
• Criticizing or accurately reporting on the Israeli government leads to accusations of anti-semitism and terrorism from pro-Israel groups.
• These groups are described as thugs who intimidate and bully, demanding that everyone "bow their head to Israel."
• Many Jewish Americans do not contribute to politics; however, there are "pro-Israel zealots" who are blinded by Israel, to the point of abusing Jewish people or looking the other way.
• These individuals prioritize "Israel first," and appear to have lost their minds and live in a "fairy tale version of Israel."

This section connects the treatment of activists to a broader critique of Israeli policy and its perceived descent into fascism, fueled by a nationalistic ideology and enabled by external support. It highlights the silencing of criticism through accusations of anti-semitism.

Every story out of a detention center from Israel is just horrific with no regard for humanity at all. They look just like the Germans that abused Jewish people in the 1940s.

The Need for Two Free and Safe Countries [11:06]

• The tendency for abuse of power is amplified when a country has absolute power.
• The US has enabled and abetted Israel, leading to its "out of control" behavior and push toward fascism.
• There is a struggle for Jewish Americans and Jews globally.
• Criticism of the Israeli government leads to harsh accusations like "anti-semite" and "terrorist."
• These pro-Israel groups are described as thugs who intimidate and bully.
• A significant amount of money is contributed to politicians by these pro-Israel zealots.
• The majority of Jewish Americans do not contribute to politics.
• Some pro-Israel zealots are blinded by Israel, making it a mania to the point where they abuse or ignore Israel's abuse of Jewish people.
• This extreme prioritization of "Israel first" leads them to lose touch with reality and live in a false version of Israel.
• A majority of Israelis reportedly support the continued killing of Palestinians.
• The speaker questions the accuracy of a specific poll number but confirms it's over 50%, calling it a "devastating number."
• The culture in Israel is described as lost.
• To help both Palestinians and Israel, external support for their worst instincts must stop.
• The speaker urges an end to giving money to Israel when it states it has not committed enough atrocities.
• The corruption of the American government is attributed to pro-Israel zealots who demand loyalty to Israel, threatening politicians' careers.
• Examples are given of Jewish representatives who faced opposition for supporting a two-state solution.
• These groups, described as "thugs for Israel," are focused on intimidating and bullying anyone who doesn't align with Israel's agenda.
• The speaker states a refusal to bow down to Israel and an intention to stand with all people worldwide.
• There is a global call to stop the "murdering of Palestinians" and to withdraw from Gaza and the occupied territories.
• The ideal scenario is described as a beautiful safe haven for Jews, returning to 1967 borders, with two free and safe countries.
• The current Israeli stance is "only us. And we're going to get greater Israel. We're going to crush the Palestinians."
• This is characterized as genocidal, and the speaker asserts it is their job to report this news.
• They are prepared to confront the pro-Israel thugs and believe they are "dead wrong."

This concluding section ties together the systemic abuse, the influence of pro-Israel advocacy, and the speaker's call for an end to the conflict and the establishment of a two-state solution, condemning the current Israeli government's actions as genocidal.

Well, then you're genocidal freaks. And it's our job to report that news. And it is news. So, I don't care how many pro-Israel thugs come after us. They're dead wrong and we'll fight them to the end.