*** MEDIA ALERT ***
SYDNEY AIRPORT
INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS HALL
0700HRS FRIDAY 10 OCTOBER 2025
*** DOORSTOP WITH HAMISH PATERSON OF THE SUMUD FLOTILLA TO GAZA ***
MUA welcomes release of seafarer Hamish Paterson, condemns abuse and mistreatment of detained peace activists
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) welcomes the news that Australian seafarer and MUA member Hamish Paterson has been released from Israeli custody and will return home to Sydney on Friday, 10 October, following his illegal detention during the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission to Gaza.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and MUA continue to demand the immediate release of all remaining detainees and a full, independent investigation into the shocking treatment of those who were held.
According to credible reports from within the international peace and aid movement, Hamish and his fellow activists were abused, mistreated, and physically assaulted by Israeli soldiers and security personnel while being illegally detained and interrogated. Detainees were reportedly bound, forced to kneel for hours, denied medical care and legal representation, and held in degrading conditions in the Negev desert.
“Hamish’s return does not end this story. It begins the process of justice,” ITF President and MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said.
“The international trade union movement will continue to fight for every detained worker and humanitarian until they are all free, and until those responsible for their mistreatment are held to account.”
Warren Smith, MUA Deputy National Secretary, Thomas Mayo, MUA Assistant National Secretary and Paul Keating, MUA Sydney Branch Secretary, will be at Sydney Airport on Friday morning to welcome Hamish and his comrades home after their ordeal.
Mr Smith said Hamish’s safe return was a relief for his family, union, and comrades but that his release does not erase the violations committed by Israeli authorities.
“We are deeply relieved that Hamish is coming home, but we are outraged at the way he and his fellow aid workers have been treated,” Mr Smith said. “Now that he is on his way safely home, our attention must refocus on the ongoing atrocities occurring in Gaza and on a lasting peace and justice for the Palestinian people,” Mr Smith said.
Mr Smith highlighted the ongoing problem of opaque Australian exports of arms and associated materiel to Israel through both seaports and international aviation channels.
“As transport workers, our members want to know they are not being forced to support a violent, oppressive and criminal war in the Middle East through their labour. If wharfies knew they were handling arms bound for Israel inside the containers they load and unload from ships, they wouldn’t touch them, but it’s impossible for us to know what’s inside every container as they go on the ship. The government must therefore act decisively to end any Australian trade in arms bound for Israel’s ongoing military assault and occupation of Palestine,” Mr Smith said.
MUA Sydney Branch Secretary, Paul Keating, will also attend the airport to welcome Hamish Paterson home. The Sydney Branch has a long-standing commitment to peace, justice and solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.
“These were peaceful humanitarians on a mission to deliver aid to civilians. They were illegally intercepted in international waters, assaulted, and detained under brutal and unlawful conditions. That is an appalling abuse of power that cannot be ignored,” said Mr Keating. “Maritime workers will continue to fight for every detained humanitarian activist until they are all free, and until those responsible for their mistreatment are held to account,” he said.
Reiterating the point about arms exports to Israel, Mr Keating said that “the Australian Government is signing off on the sale of arms to a regime that is facing charges of genocide. There is no universe in which Sydney wharfies would knowingly load arms bound for this war. Make no mistake, if we find a shred of evidence that these arms are in our port, they will not move one inch,” Mr Keating said.
Thomas Mayo said the Australian Government must now ensure accountability for the mistreatment of Australian citizens and act to secure the release and protection of all other detainees still being held.
“We expect our government to demand answers, insist on an independent investigation, and take a strong public stand against the abuse of Australian citizens by foreign powers,” Mr Mayo said.
“The people aboard the Sumud Flotilla acted in the spirit of international solidarity, peace, and humanity. Their courage should be honoured — not punished,” he added.
The MUA and ITF are calling for:
- The safe and immediate release of all activists and seafarers still detained by Israeli authorities.
- An independent international investigation into the abuse, assault, and mistreatment of detainees.
- The Australian Government to deliver full consular, legal, and medical support to all affected citizens and to hold Israel accountable for its actions.
- Review Australia’s defence, aid and arms export ties to guarantee no complicity in human rights violations
- The Australian Government to stop approving any exports of arms to Israel through Australian air or sea ports.
ENDS
