Parents of Hunter Palestine activist detained by Israel call for action from local MP

The parents and supporters of a Palestine activist detained by Israel have taken to their local MP's office to demand action.

Newcastle activist Zack Schofield was one of six Australians detained last week by the Israeli navy after taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, an attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid to the territory.

The flotilla sailed from Italy last week before it was intercepted off Crete.

Mr Schofield's parents Joanne Jarowski and Peter Schofield were joined by protestors on Monday morning at the office of Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon as they called for a meeting.

The family said they were left disappointed after they were unable to get through to the office despite numerous calls and emails.

They are demanding Ms Claydon make a public statement condemn Israel's alleged illegal detention of Australian citizens and voice her support for Mr Schofield and the other flotilla activists.

Ms Jarowski said she was later informed by a member of Ms Claydon's staff that "they would try their best" to organise a future meeting but the MP could not commit to making any public statement about the matter.

Ms Claydon last week shared on social media she had lost her father Kevin.

"First, let me say that we are aware of MP Claydon's recent bereavement, and we do not attach any criticism to her not being available to speak with us today," Ms Jarowski said.

"My husband and I went to her office today in hopes of maybe speaking to a staffer, if not Ms. Claydon.

"We were there with members of our community who support us and know Zack, who at the moment is in Greece, working on how he can further help the flotilla get food and medicine to the sick and the starving civilians in Gaza."

The family and activists are also calling for Ms Claydon to "publicly support and promise to do everything within her power to ensure Australia cut all ties with Israel, directly act and contribute to the ongoing flow of aid and properly fund a community-led just transition for Newcastle and the Hunter that does not fund weapons manufacturing or fossil fuel."

"Our plea to our federal minister is to please strenuously and publicly assert Australia's sovereignty by denouncing a supposed-ally that has illegally hurt and detained Australian citizens abroad, in the international waters of the Mediterranean," Ms Jarowski said.

"Our son, with 180 others, was held hostage in inhumane conditions for two nights by a nation Australia calls an ally: that is an outrage.

"We want MP Claydon to do everything she can to publicly support and protect the Australian [flotilla] aid volunteers as they continue to try to get aid to Gaza, and support disengaging with Israel as an ally."

Three Hunter activists - Mr Schofield, Cessnock university student activist Ethan Floyd and former Newcastle High School student Cameron Tribe - were detained by Israeli forces as part of the flotilla bound for Gaza.

The men were later released on a Greek island on Friday.

Mr Floyd was expected to return to Australia on Monday evening, flying into Sydney airport where he will be greeted by friends, family, and supporters.

Mr Schofield alleges he and his crewmates experienced violence during their distressing time in Israeli custody.

He says he witnessed at least 10 of his fellow crew members being heavily beaten.

"All of my crew were placed in stress positions and forced to walk with our heads down; we were grabbed by our hair and moved around the ship," Mr Schofield told the ABC on Saturday night.

"We were very forcefully searched, multiple times, and had all of our possessions stolen [or] thrown in the ocean - and our boat was sunk, including all of our possessions on board."

The group organising the flotilla said their vessels were sabotaged, with engines disabled and navigational equipment destroyed.

Parts of the operation to stop their passage were streamed online by activists on board, who have described the intervention as "state-sanctioned piracy".

The Global Movement to Gaza has called for a nationwide day of action in response to reports of alleged brutalisation faced by Australian activists and aid workers aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.

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