Israel Prison Service rejects claims of assault during detention

A German reporter and activist with the Global Sumud Flotilla has accused female Israeli prison officers of raping her in a forced strip search at Givon Prison last October. The Israel Prison Service has firmly rejected the claims.

Anna Liedtke, age 25, described the alleged incident in an interview with The Guardian published on Wednesday. Adalah filed a formal complaint on her behalf calling for a criminal probe.

The Jerusalem Post has not independently confirmed the claims. The Prison Service informed The Guardian that the accusations are categorically denied and lack any basis. It rejects any suggestion of rape, sexual assault or organized mistreatment by staff. When contacted separately by the Post about the investigation status the service declined to provide further details beyond its prior statement.

The complaint was lodged on June 1 with the Attorney General Office, the Prison Service legal adviser, the National Unit for Investigating Prison Staff and the commander of Givon Prison.

Adalah confirmed to the Post that a file has been opened yet no further developments have occurred.

No additional details were supplied about the file or whether a full criminal inquiry has begun.

Liedtke describes events from October 2025

Per the complaint and her statements to The Guardian the claimed assault happened on October 10 2025 after transfer from Ketziot Prison to Givon Prison. This followed interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla two days earlier.

Liedtke was one of roughly 145 people on vessels linked to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Thousand Madleens initiative. The Israeli Navy halted the flotilla early on October 8 and directed the boats to Ashdod Port. Most detainees were then moved to Ketziot Prison in the Negev.

The groups presented the trip as an effort to bring humanitarian supplies and contest the naval blockade of Gaza. Israel maintains the blockade is essential for security to stop weapons reaching Hamas and has described the flotilla efforts as staged actions rather than authentic aid deliveries.

Liedtke stated she faced physical and verbal mistreatment while held and was strip searched three times without agreement.

She said the first search occurred at Ashdod Port in a space only partly shielded leaving her exposed to male staff walking nearby. She claimed a second search was required upon arrival at Ketziot Prison.

After transfer to Givon two days later Liedtke told The Guardian she refused a third strip search. She alleged two then three female guards removed her clothing by force held her hands pushed her to her knees and covered her mouth while she shouted.

One guard allegedly inserted fingers into her vagina and anus according to the account. Liedtke also claimed male guards could see into the partly screened space and laughed during the event.

The claims rest on Liedtke testimony and the complaint filed for her. No conclusions have been reached about the described events.

Liedtke said she told friends and medical staff soon after release from Israeli custody and first discussed the alleged rape publicly at a conference in December.

There is no reason for me to feel shame she told The Guardian. Whenever we stay silent they will repeat it to someone else.

Her lawyer Muna Haddad from Adalah explained the complaint aims to seek accountability and review how Israeli enforcement bodies handle such demands for investigation.

Prison Service and IDF dismiss abuse reports

The Prison Service dismissed Liedtke account in its reply to The Guardian calling the claims wholly unsubstantiated and denying any rape sexual assault or organized mistreatment by personnel.

The IDF also rejected reports of mistreatment during the flotilla interception and directed questions about Liedtke detention to the Prison Service.

The claims arise amid other accusations from participants in Gaza-bound flotillas stopped by Israel.

In May organizers of another flotilla reported that at least 15 participants described sexual assault including rape after detention by Israeli authorities. The Prison Service denied those claims and stated all detainees were held lawfully with rights protected. Reuters noted it could not verify the accusations independently.

French prosecutors have opened a preliminary inquiry into separate claims of torture sexual violence and mistreatment by French citizens from the May flotilla. That inquiry does not cover Liedtke complaint.

October flotilla participants had also reported physical abuse humiliation and degrading treatment right after detention. Adalah publicized those earlier claims before Liedtke disclosed the rape allegation.

The Prison Service continues to reject any reports of rape sexual assault or organized mistreatment by its staff.