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Has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade sought to formally interview the New Zealand citizens who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla and were detained in May 2026 about their allegations that they were assaulted by the Israel Defense Forces, and if not, why not?

Answered Question 29730 (2026)
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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • Has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade sought to formally interview the New Zealand citizens who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla and were detained in May 2026 about their allegations that they were assaulted by the Israel Defense Forces, and if not, why not?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

On 16 June 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade wrote to the families of the New Zealanders detained in May seeking information on their experience in custody and their consent to raise any allegations with Israeli authorities. The Ministry has not yet received responses from the three affected New Zealanders.