Scottish Greens demand action from UK Government on Flotilla detainees
The Scottish Greens have called on the UK Government to urgently secure the release of two Scots abducted by Israeli forces after a humanitarian aid flotilla to Gaza was intercepted.
Hughie Stirling, from Ullapool, and Dr Antonis Vradis, from St Andrews, were among hundreds of activists seized after the Global Sumud Flotilla was stopped by Israeli forces, despite being in international waters hundreds of kilometers from Gaza.
The call follows outrage over footage released by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing detained activists kneeling with their hands bound.
Scottish Greens External Affairs spokesperson, Patrick Harvie MSP said: “The UK Government must act urgently to secure the release and safe return of Hughie Stirling, Dr Antonis Vradis and all of those who have been abducted.
“The UK Government’s response has been far too weak. British citizens and Scottish residents have been seized and humiliated by Israeli forces while peacefully trying to deliver aid to people facing starvation, yet ministers are still hiding behind carefully worded expressions of concern. That is not good enough.
“The footage released by Itamar Ben-Gvir is appalling. To see bound activists paraded and degraded by a senior Israeli Government minister should shame every government that has continued to treat Israel as if there can be business as usual.
“If this had been done by almost any other state, the Foreign Office would be treating it as a clear human rights violation, and major diplomatic crisis.
“The UK Government must stop giving Israel special treatment, secure the immediate release of those detained, and make clear to Israel that a programme of boycotts, divestment and sanctions will be imposed in response to this abuse.”
Patrick added: “These are people who were trying to bring aid and global attention to Gaza. They should not have been abducted and humiliated for taking part in a humanitarian mission.
“My colleagues Ariane Burgess MSP and Mark Ruskell MSP have rightly been pressing the Foreign Office on behalf of their constituents, and lodging written questions in Parliament.
“The UK Government must now provide full consular support, secure their immediate release and make clear that this treatment is unacceptable.”
ENDS