Ullapool man describes 'organised brutality' at hands of Israeli forces which left him in 'agony'

An Ullapool man has described his treatment by the IDF after he was detained as “organised brutality”.

Hughie Striling was on board the Ajjur (Blue Toys) vessel, one of dozens forming the Global Sumud Flotilla, which departed from the port of Marmaris, Turkey, in what organisers described as the final leg of its journey to Gaza’s shores.

Some 41 boats were intercepted on Monday, with another ten continuing to sail before a second interception, according to the online tracker.

As the group set off, there was an expectation that they would likely be intercepted.

As word began to spread that the IDF was approaching, those on board each vessel, including Hughie, started preparing for boarding.

The activist told STV News: “We had to throw our phones overboard, get rid of any sharp objects, in case they felt we were a threat to them.

“We got into our lifejackets and sat on deck so they could see us and put our arms up. It was a waiting game.”

The soldiers approached in their dinghy and pointed rifles towards those on board as they neared.

Hughie says he was forced into the cabin alongside his fellow crewmates, where their hands were cable-tied.

The vessel was driven towards what the man from the Highlands described as a “prison boat” where things got “really rough”.

“They were trained in causing us as much pain as they could,” Hughie explained.

“They twisted our arms and forced us to walk while bent double, which was quite difficult because you couldn’t take proper steps.

Hughie Stirling was on board the Ajjur (Blue Toys) vessel Global Sumud Flotilla

“They would throw you on the floor, where they started punching us and kicking us. They sloshed water all over the floor, so we were soaking wet.

“They started ripping our clothes off and told us to keep our heads down. Shouting at us all the time, it was quite a terrifying experience.”

He described the ordeal as “organised brutality”, with one soldier stamping on Hughie’s back as he lay on the floor, leaving him in “agony” and “hardly able to breathe”.

The passports of those detained were seized by the IDF, and they were forced through a container where more beatings took place before arriving on the ship’s deck.

Detainees remained in cramped and unsanitary conditions with a lack of water and food for three days, as the Israeli forces continued to round up the flotilla and take them to dry land.

Hughie said: “There was not enough room for us to lie down. A doctor was there, who would shout if people needed medical care.

“There were people with broken ribs, concussions, broken legs, badly bruised and women who had been abused sexually.

“Of course, they didn’t do anything really.”

The “prison boat” arrived at Ashdod in Israel, where the prisoners were forced into a stress position for more than an hour while listening to the Israeli national anthem as they awaited to disembark.

Hughie was forced to wear a grey prison uniform STV News

As he was marched off the boat, Hughie fell, and the soldiers continued to drag him along before he was thrown into a metal fence.

The activists were again stripped and beaten as they were waiting to be processed.

“It started to become a haze the whole process, but it lasted hours, hours, and hours,” Hughie said.

“Then we did have a few minutes with a lawyer who told us not to sign or say anything. They were trying to trap us.”

Despite the “terrifying experience”, the Ullapool man believes he would continue to take action to shine a light on the conditions faced by Palestinians.

Hughie added: “I believe we have to stand up, speak out.

“I would certainly think about direct action again.”

Scottish university professor also among those detained

Dr Antonis Vradis, who works at St Andrew’s University, was on board the Qannir (La Cirena) vessel when it was captured.

The Scottish Universities Jewish Staff Network said it was “deeply concerned for the safety and well-being” of Dr Vradis at the time.

“Israeli actions – both against the people of Gaza and those (like Antonis) with the courage to put themselves at risk through their humanitarian support for Gazans – are a violation of the beliefs and values we hold dear,” a statement from the group said.

Dr Antonis Vradis was also captured. Global Sumud Flotilla

A University spokesperson added: “Antonis made us aware of his plans to take leave to join the flotilla, and also told us that there was a significant risk that he and others would be detained by Israel.”

Outcry after Israel minister of national security Ben-Gvir video

A video of those detained was posted on X by Israel’s minister of national security, Ben-Gvir.

In the footage, one detainee is pushed to the ground, and many are placed into stress positions.

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has described the footage as violating “most basic standards of respect and dignity in the way people should be treated.”

The MP added: “We have demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities and made clear their obligations to protect the rights of our citizens and all those involved.”

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the treatment of the activists does not match the country’s “values or norms”.

He wrote: “Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza.

“However, the way that Minister Ben Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms. I have instructed the relevant authorities to deport the provocateurs as soon as possible.”