Scot among British activists 'kidnapped' by Israeli navy

Published on Wednesday 1 July 2009 00:29

SIX Britons, including a postal worker from Edinburgh, are among 21 human rights activists "kidnapped" by the Israeli authorities, according to campaigners.

Theresa McDermott, 42, was part a group on a boat carrying humanitarian supplies in international waters near the Gaza coast when they were reportedly seized.

The Free Gaza Movement's vessel – Spirit of Humanity – was said to be on its way to deliver medical supplies to Gaza when it was allegedly stopped by Israeli warships yesterday morning with threats of gunfire.

Ms McDermott, from Pilrig, was held in prison by the Israelis for several days after being captured while on an aid mission to Gaza earlier this year.

She was one of nine passengers on the Togo ship Tali taking medicine, food and other supplies to Gaza when it was intercepted by the Israeli navy.

Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign spokesman Mick Napier said: "Theresa was obviously shaken up by what happened in February, but she was still pretty determined to get back out there.

"We're extremely concerned for her safety at the moment and we know people across the country are contacting their MPs to demand the immediate release of these activists."

Others on the Spirit of Humanity included former US congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, Irish peace activist and Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and Adam Shapiro, an American documentary maker.

The Israeli foreign ministry last night said the navy had taken control of the cargo boat after its crew ignored warnings not to enter Gazan coastal waters. But the Foreign Office said it was still trying to clarify the facts of what had happened.

A spokeswoman said: "We would be concerned if the stories of the Israeli navy boarding the boat in international waters were true.

"We have made it clear to Israel that we are very concerned for the safety of British nationals."

Edinburgh North and Leith MP Mark Lazarowicz was among several raising the capture of the activists in the Commons last night. He said: "I am demanding that the Israelis immediately release my constituent and all those who took part in this voyage of mercy."

Sir Gerald Kaufman, MP for Manchester Gorton, said: "The Spirit of Humanity's cargo of medical and humanitarian supplies was thoroughly inspected by the port authorities before it left Larnaca yesterday, but the vessel is now surrounded by Israeli warships in international waters. The Israeli forces have disabled the ship's equipment, have threatened to fire on the ship and have now boarded it."

Foreign Secretary David Miliband warned Israel it had to abide by international law.

"It is obviously vital that all states respect international law, including the law of the sea. It is also important to say that we deplore the interference by the Israeli navy in the activities of Gazan fishermen."

Ms Maguire, who won the Noble Peace Prize for her work in Northern Ireland, said in a statement: "The aid we were carrying is a symbol of hope for the people of Gaza, hope that the sea route would open for them."

The UK wants Israel to open the crossings into Gaza for humanitarian aid and has "repeatedly" raised this issue with the Israeli government, the Foreign Office said.