UK nationals among 171 people deported from Israel after Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted

UK nationals are reportedly among 171 people being deported from Israel after a flotilla was seized prior to reaching Gaza.

Some 450 activists were arrested as Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of 42 boats seeking to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver a symbolic amount of aid to the famine-stricken territory.

Four Scots, Sid Khan, Jim Hickey, Margaret Pacetta and Yvonne Ridley, were among those detained by Israeli armed forces.

On Monday afternoon, the Israel Foreign Ministry said that dozens of activists from a number of countries have been deported to Greece and Slovakia.

Of the four Scots, Pacetta was deported and arrived at Istanbul airport on Saturday, alongside 136 other activists. Upon her arrival, she described the prison as “awful”, adding that detainees were not given food or water.

The Global Sumud Flotilla said on Sunday evening that Yvonne Ridley had gone missing during the transfer to Istanbul.

It is not known if the other Scottish nationals were part of the 171 deported.

Glasgow & West

Scot detained by Israeli forces has not been in contact for four days, family say

Sid Khan was one of four Scottish nationals who were detained after Israeli forces incepted a flotilla delivering aid to Gaza on Wednesday.

The Israeli foreign ministry has said it offered voluntary deportation to all of the activists, and those who remain in detention chose to stay there in order to go through a legal deportation process.

External affairs secretary Angus Robertson says he remains “deeply concerned” for those detained by the Israeli forces

He said: “I am deeply concerned for the safety and integrity of the Sumud Flotilla and its participants and today I have written to the foreign secretary asking for an urgent update in particular for the residents of Scotland who are still being detained, including Saddaqat Khan, Yvonne Ridley, and James Hickey.

“Scottish Government officials have contacted the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), who informed us that they have lobbied the Israeli authorities to make clear that they expected the situation to be resolved safely, in line with international law, and with due respect for the rights of all those on board.”

Activist Greta Thunberg was among those deported from the country on Monday.

The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.