Will Alexander being welcomed home at Christchurch Airport. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
A New Zealander who was detained by the Israeli navy last week has returned home, saying his ordeal was nothing compared to what people in Gaza face every day.
Actor-turned-activist Will Alexander was on board a flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza when the Israeli navy intercepted it and detained around 150 people.
He claimed detainees were subject to abuse and were blind-folded and zip-tied during their time in Israel.
Alexander arrived at Christchurch Airport on Monday afternoon to cheers and clapping from supporters.
"We are not the story, we're just activists, as one of our comrades said, we are the finger pointing at Gaza," he said.
"Don't look at us, look at the genocide that is being committed by Israel, look at the inaction and impunity of governments like our own who are doing nothing to stop this."
Alexander being welcomed at Christrchurh Airport on Monday. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Alexander said it was shameful the New Zealand government had not recognised Palestine as a state.
He and other detainees were abused as soon as they stepped off the boat, he said.
Israeli officials last week denied allegations of abuse by three other New Zealanders who had been detained, calling them "complete lies" and saying detainees' rights were upheld.
Alexander said he and the other activists were "one by one beaten up".
"I saw one guy with about nine or 10 Israeli police officers surrounding him and they really, really hurt his neck," he said.
The detainees were "wrestled" to an area where they were forced on to their knees for hours with their hands zip-tied behind their backs, Alexander said.
He said their belongings were rifled through and stolen, then they were blindfolded, put into a van and driven to Ktzi'ot prison where they spent about a day and a half.
Alexander said he was put in a small cell with nine people with a sewage overflowing from a broken toilet, and they awoke to guns being pointed at them.
RNZ put those allegations to the Israeli embassy.
The deputy Israeli ambassador to New Zealand, Maya Simon said all flotilla members were brought to shore healthy and safe.
She said they received consular assistance and were either already home, or waiting to be deported.
Alexander said Turkey flew he and others out of Israel, and he made his own way home from Istanbul, but he believed some were still detained.
He was pleased to see his family, and was looking forward to being home and having a rest, he said.
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