News / Ben Trowell
Gaza flotilla activist recounts ‘torture’ by Israeli forces
Ben Trowell said he experienced something “almost religious” when his boat was captured by Israeli forces who intercepted an aid flotilla bound for Gaza.
As commands were shouted and guns pointed, the St George-based activist said his state of mind was “surprisingly calm”.
“I’ve just been so angry and so mad about all of this for such a long time that, at that point, I accepted whatever happens to me, happens,” Ben told Bristol24/7.
“I know I’m doing it for the right reasons, and I know it’s for a greater good.”
Ben was among 180 members of the Global Sumud Flotilla detained by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in international waters near Crete late on April 29.
The Israeli military intercepted at least 22 boats, located 600 nautical miles from Gaza, that were attempting to break the maritime blockade and deliver humanitarian aid.
Israel has dismissed the flotilla as a provocative “PR stunt” and insisted their actions complied with international law.
Ben Trowell was among about 180 activists intercepted by the IDF in international waters near Crete, 600 nautical miles from Gaza – photo: Ben Trowell
Speaking in Bristol on Wednesday after making it safely home, the 36-year-old web developer said he witnessed and experienced violence during what he described as conditions akin to “torture” on a “prison boat”.
“They let people drift off to sleep, and as soon as they did, they water cannoned them,” Ben said, saying some of his fellow detainees were left “soaking wet” and freezing overnight without being able to dry off until the sun rose.
Over two days, Ben described moments of intimidation and panic including sudden “flashbang explosions” that made people believe they were being shot at.
He added that detainees were “not given near enough” water during “severe” daytime heat.
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The interception of the flotilla by the IDF came on the third night at sea after departing from Sicily.
Initially below deck, Ben said the crew noticed unusual activity including drones flying nearby and he was asked to livestream events to document what was happening.
At first, they assumed the approaching forces were the Greek coastguard but later it was confirmed through communications that it was Israeli forces.
Ben described a chaotic and frightening moment when soldiers boarded the boat, pointed guns at them and ordered people to “move”.
“I was searched at the front of the boat and told to sit facing the sea so I couldn’t see anything, couldn’t see my comrades anymore,” Ben said.
“I could just hear everything which was horrible because I just wanted to check in on everybody.
“If you did try to look around, there was somebody watching you with a gun and saying ‘face forward, face forward’. It was all very intense.”
On the vessel, detainees held regular assemblies to organise themselves and maintain morale, with Ben taking on “the clown role” in an attempt to keep spirits up.
When the group asked for water, sanitary products and information about their detained peers, authorities reportedly refused to negotiate.
The group responded with acts of resistance such as adopting “dead weight” tactics which Ben claimed was followed by an escalation in violence from IDF soldiers.
He said he saw a fellow detainee get shot in the leg by a non-lethal bullet which “ripped through his trousers”.
Ben was taken into a container where he was “kicked loads”, including blows to the head, back and stomach.
St George-based activist Ben Trowell said under detention he endured extreme temperatures, violence, and insufficient food and water – photo: Ben Trowell
Two members of the flotilla, Saif Abukeshek, a Spanish-Swedish national of Palestinian origin, and Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian national, are still being held in Israel.
They have been brought before a court in the city of Ashkelon but neither has been charged.
Spain and Brazil have issued a joint statement condemning what they described as the “abduction of two of their citizens in international waters by the government of Israel”.
Ben, originally from Stroud, said he “feels very guilty” that he has been able to return home while they remain in custody.
He said he joined the flotilla after feeling he was “going insane” while watching footage of the conflict online.
Ben’s mother, Liz Trowell, spoke at a recent rally by the Cascade Steps organised by Bristol Palestine Alliance, saying she was “so so proud of Ben”.
It was only when Ben arrived at the airport in Crete after a four-hour walk to board a Turkish-chartered flight, that he could ring his mum to let her know he was safe.
Organisers of the Global Sumud flotilla have condemned Israeli’s actions as piracy, saying those on board had been seized unlawfully.
Ben said: “Palestine needs aid. Everybody knows that. Anybody who’s following any news story knows that.”
“The flotilla is a non-violent humanitarian mission. We were carrying essential aid. Most of my boat was full of rice. It’s ridiculous.”
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One week on, Ben said the experience is still emotionally difficult to process, feeling like “someone else’s story”.
Despite this, the activist said he “would do it all again tomorrow”, saying that compared to Palestinian suffering, “what I went through was nothing”.
On Thursday, the UK Foreign Office said: “Efforts to deliver aid by sea highlight the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“Israel must do more to allow sufficient aid into Gaza, in line with agreed minimum targets.”
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
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