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Fact Check: Chris Smalls, who took on Amazon and won, was assaulted by the Israeli military while participating in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, a peaceful aid mission carrying food, insulin, diapers, and water filters to starved Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the ship in international waters, cut communications, boarded the boat, physically assaulted Chris with choking and kicking, leaving him bruised and bleeding. The assault was racially motivated, and despite public calls for solidarity, there is silence

Fact Check: Chris Smalls, who took on Amazon and won, was assaulted by the Israeli military while participating in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, a peaceful aid mission carrying food, insulin, diapers, and water filters to starved Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the ship in international waters, cut communications, boarded the boat, physically assaulted Chris with choking and kicking, leaving him bruised and bleeding. The assault was racially motivated, and despite public calls for solidarity, there is silence

Published August 11, 2025
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# Fact-Check: Chris Smalls Assaulted by Israeli Military ## What We Know Chris Smalls, a prominent labor activist and co-founder of the Amazon Labor...

Fact-Check: Chris Smalls Assaulted by Israeli Military

What We Know

Chris Smalls, a prominent labor activist and co-founder of the Amazon Labor Union, was part of a humanitarian mission known as the Freedom Flotilla, which aimed to deliver aid to Gaza. On July 27, 2025, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted the ship he was on, the Handala, in international waters. Reports indicate that Smalls was among 21 activists detained during this operation. According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Smalls was physically assaulted by seven uniformed Israeli personnel, who allegedly choked and kicked him, resulting in visible injuries on his neck and back. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) condemned the treatment Smalls received, noting that he was singled out for violent treatment, which they described as racially motivated due to him being the only Black person on board the ship.

Following his release, Smalls expressed his commitment to the cause, stating, "Free Gaza. Free the people of Palestine. That's all it's about" (CBS News). His detention and the alleged assault have drawn attention from various activist groups and media outlets, highlighting the broader implications of the incident in the context of humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

Analysis

The claims regarding Chris Smalls' assault by the Israeli military are supported by multiple credible sources. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the AAUP both provide detailed accounts of the events, corroborating the assertion that Smalls was physically assaulted during his detention. The Guardian also reported on the incident, emphasizing the violent nature of the encounter and the context of the humanitarian mission.

The sources reporting on this incident appear to be reliable, with established reputations in journalism and advocacy. For instance, CBS News and The Guardian are well-known news organizations that adhere to journalistic standards. However, the framing of the incident may vary depending on the outlet's editorial stance. For example, outlets like People's World and MR Online may emphasize the political implications and racial dynamics more than mainstream news sources.

The claim that the assault was racially motivated is supported by the AAUP's statement, which explicitly notes that Smalls was the only Black individual on the ship and was treated differently from other detainees. This aspect of the claim is particularly significant as it highlights potential biases in the treatment of activists based on race.

Conclusion

Based on the evidence presented, the claim that Chris Smalls was assaulted by the Israeli military while participating in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla is True. Multiple credible sources confirm that he was physically assaulted during his detention, and there is substantial support for the assertion that this treatment was racially motivated. The incident has sparked discussions about the treatment of activists and the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Sources

  1. Labor Leader Chris Smalls Describes Israeli Arrest & Assault
  2. Labor Leader Chris Smalls Describes Israeli Arrest & Assault - YouTube
  3. New York activist returns home after reportedly being detained by Israeli forces
  4. AAUP Condemns Abduction and Assault of Chris Smalls
  5. US labor activist Chris Smalls assaulted by IDF during Gaza aid mission
  6. Where’s the outrage over labor leader Chris Smalls’ violent arrest by the IDF?
  7. Israeli military attacks Amazon Labor Union leader
  8. Chris Smalls Freed After Beating, Detention by Israeli Forces

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Detailed fact-check analysis of: Paul Krugman Paul Krugman We’re All Rats Now Time to take a stand, again, against racism Paul Krugman Jun 30, 2025 Zohran Mamdani’s upset victory in New York’s Democratic primary has created panic in MAGAland. Stephen Miller, the architect of Donald Trump’s deportation policies, waxed apocalyptic: Scott Bessent, the Treasury secretary, declared that New York is about to turn into “Caracas on the Hudson.” And Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama basically declared New York’s voters subhuman, saying: These inner-city rats, they live off the federal government. And that’s one reason we’re $37 trillion in debt. And it’s time we find these rats and we send them back home, that are living off the American taxpayers that are working very hard every week to pay taxes. These reactions are vile, and they’re also dishonest. Whatever these men may claim, it’s all about bigotry. 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Fact Check: Chris Smalls, who took on Amazon and won, was assaulted by the Israeli military while participating in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, a peaceful aid mission carrying food, insulin, diapers, and water filters to starved Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the ship in international waters, cut communications, boarded the boat, physically assaulted Chris with choking and kicking, leaving him bruised and bleeding. The assault was racially motivated, and despite public calls for solidarity, there is silence | TruthOrFake Blog