Australian senator condemns government response to Gaza flotilla seizure Australian Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi criticised the Australian government’s response to Israel’s interception of a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza, accusing Israeli forces of carrying out “piracy and kidnapping in international waters”. In a statement, Faruqi said it was “beyond comprehension” that the Australian government still considered Israel a friend after “two years of genocide”. Faruqi said there appeared to be “no limits” to Israel’s actions and expressed support for the Australians and other activists aboard the flotilla.