Freed Aussie scribes say Israeli commandoes were like “hyenas hunting”

Sydney, June 3 (ANI): Two journalists from the Sydney Morning Herald, who were detained by Israeli commandoes after being caught in the melee when commandoes raided Gaza-bound Turkish aid vessels have described the Israeli commandoes’ behaviour while they prowled around the vessels as that of “hyenas hunting”, after being freed.

Paul McGeough and Kate Geraghty were roughed up by the intimidating Israeli forces, Kate was even stuck by a stun-gun and suffered minor burns and bruises, however, she said she her injuries were “minor” as compared to what the commandoes did with the others on the ship.

McGeough claimed that one of the activists was held at gun-point and that the incident was “very ugly”, “testosterone-driven, and that the commandos had stood over activists in a “bullying” way, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The journalists’ cameras and other equipments were also confiscated by Israeli authorities in what they called “an absolute disrespect by Israel” for democracy and the fundamental rights of journalists.

McGeough said that he would challenge his deportaion from Israel in absentia.

The Herald’s editor, Peter Fray, said he was elated that he could speak to McGeough and Geraghty and relieved that they were out of prison.

He added that the Herald would pursue all legal, moral, ethical and journalistic avenues to ensure his staff “are able to do their jobs as bona fide and excellent journalists”. (ANI)