Aussies detained by Israel join dozens of protesters at Parliament House

About 50 protesters have headed to Parliament House in Canberra, prompting police and security to lock down the main entrance.

Two of the eleven Australians arrested, Zack Schofield and Surya McEwen, also took part in today’s protest.

In a statement, the pair said they wanted to show Prime Minister Anthony Albanese the extent of their injuries and treatment, while the group called for more government action.

“The Prime Minister has said he cannot respond without knowing our circumstances. I left Israeli prison with a broken cheekbone, a broken rib, a bruised lung and a concussion after being kicked and punched so many times I lost count,” McEwen said.

“Until Albanians end diplomatic relations with this state accused of genocide, none of us can be proud to be Australian,” Schofield said.

A minute’s silence was held before security and police escorted the group out.

Protesters could be heard shouting “liberate Palestine” and “punish Israel” as they were led to the basement.

They have been banned from Parliament House for 12 months. 

The commotion led to the main entrance to Parliament House being closed. Other entrances remained open.

At a Labor Party chamber meeting this morning, a member asked the government when it would increase sanctions on Israel and referred to Israel’s treatment of the 430 flotilla activists.

The government reaffirmed that it would take a principles-based approach and that every word and action would be scrutinized.

Ben-Gvir drew criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the United Nations and Australians after he shared a video of officers grabbing a woman and throwing her to the ground after she shouted “free, free Palestine,” and prisoners were handcuffed and forced to kneel on the ground.

Ben-Gvir shouted in Hebrew, “Welcome to Israel, we are your landlords!” while waving an Israeli flag.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong described his actions as completely unacceptable.

“The images we have seen are shocking and unacceptable,” she said in a statement last week.

“We condemn the actions of Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir – who has sanctioned Australia – and the degrading actions of the Israeli authorities towards the detainees.”