German Pro-Palestinian Activist Alleges Sexual Assault During Israeli Detention After Gaza Flotilla Raid

Anna Liedtke, a 25-year-old German pro-Palestinian activist, who participated in the 'Sumud' flotilla to Gaza, has accused Israeli authorities of sexual assault during her detention in Israel. Liedtke was detained after the Israeli Defense Forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters on October 8 last year and brought the ship to Ashdod port. She was held for five days, during which she claims to have undergone three forced strip searches without her consent.

In an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian, Liedtke recounted that during her initial interrogation, a German-speaking investigator insulted her with the phrase "Nazi whore." She described the first alleged sexual assault occurring shortly after a body search, where she was forced to undress behind a partially closed curtain, exposing her to passing soldiers. Later that night, she was taken to Ketziot prison in the Negev, where she endured another full strip search against her will.

Liedtke further alleged that at Givon prison near central Israel, female guards forcibly stripped her, pinned her to the floor, and one inserted fingers into her body while male guards watched, laughed, and possibly recorded the incident. She said she tried to scream but was silenced by the guards covering her mouth. Liedtke stated these actions were intended to break the activists' will and silence them regarding Palestine.

After her release, Liedtke filed formal complaints with the Attorney General, the Prison Service legal advisor, the Prison Service investigation unit, and the Givon prison commander. Her lawyer told The Guardian that there are additional testimonies from other flotilla participants reporting similar abuses and called for a thorough investigation and accountability.

The Israeli Prison Service strongly denied all allegations of rape, sexual assault, or systematic abuse by its staff. The IDF also rejected any claims of mistreatment by the forces involved in the flotilla interception.