German flotilla activist alleges rape in Israeli detention; Prison Service denies claims

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A German journalist and activist has filed a criminal complaint in Israel alleging that she was raped by female prison guards during a forced strip-search at Givon Prison, according to reports by The Guardian and The Jerusalem Post. The Israel Prison Service (IPS) has categorically denied the allegations, describing them as "entirely unsubstantiated."

Anna Liedtke, 25, was among approximately 145 participants in vessels affiliated with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Thousand Madleens initiative, according to The Jerusalem Post. The Israeli Navy intercepted the flotilla early on October 8, 2025, and diverted the vessels to Ashdod Port, as reported by both The Guardian and The Jerusalem Post. Liedtke was detained for five days, according to The Guardian.

Coverage Comparison

The Guardian, in a detailed account based on interviews with Liedtke and a criminal complaint filed in Israel, reported that the alleged assault occurred on October 10, 2025, after she was transferred from Ketziot Prison to Givon Prison. The Jerusalem Post also reported the same date and context, citing the complaint and Liedtke's account.

According to The Guardian, Liedtke described the incident as occurring during a strip-search that she said was illegal. She recounted that female guards forced her to her knees, covered her mouth, and raped her, while she heard male guards laughing. The Guardian reported that Liedtke believes the attack may have been watched or filmed, noting that prisons typically have security and body cameras.

The Jerusalem Post, while reporting the allegations, noted that they had not been independently verified by the outlet. The IPS told The Guardian that the allegations are "categorically denied and entirely unsubstantiated," and that it "rejects any allegation of rape, sexual assault or systematic abuse by its personnel." The Jerusalem Post said that when queried separately, the IPS said it had nothing to add beyond that response.

The Jerusalem Post also reported that the complaint was submitted on June 1 to the Attorney-General's Office, the IPS's legal adviser, the National Unit for Investigating Prison Staff (a sub-unit of Lahav 433's Serious and International Crime Unit), and the commander of Givon Prison. According to The Jerusalem Post, Adalah - The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, which filed the complaint on Liedtke's behalf, said: "We have confirmation from the Prison Service that a file has been opened, but nothing substantive yet." Adalah did not provide further details about the file's nature or whether a formal criminal investigation had been opened.

Key Claims

The Guardian and The Jerusalem Post both report that Liedtke accused female Israeli prison guards of raping her during a forced strip-search at Givon Prison on October 10, 2025, after she was transferred from Ketziot Prison.

The Jerusalem Post reports that Liedtke was among approximately 145 participants in vessels affiliated with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Thousand Madleens initiative, and that the Israeli Navy intercepted the flotilla early on October 8 and diverted vessels to Ashdod Port.

The Israel Prison Service denied the allegations, with The Guardian reporting the denial as "categorically denied and entirely unsubstantiated," and adding that the IPS "rejects any allegation of rape, sexual assault or systematic abuse by its personnel."

In its coverage, The Guardian also noted that the United Nations added Israel to a blacklist for sexual violence in conflict. Additionally, The Guardian mentioned that Australian police are investigating rape and torture allegations made by flotilla participants in May.

Liedtke, in her interview with The Guardian, said the abuse was intended to intimidate. "It's clear they want to break our will and silence us, making this so traumatic that we will never talk about Palestine again," she said. She also stated, "There is no reason for me to be ashamed. Whenever we are silent, they will do it to another person."

Her lawyer, Muna Haddad, was quoted by The Guardian as saying the complaint was a challenge to a "culture of impunity" for abuse of prisoners in Israel, and that "It is Anna's wish to seek justice and exhaust [all legal avenues]."