THE loved ones of a Scottish activist kidnapped by Israel while taking part in a major flotilla to Gaza have issued a plea calling for his safe return.
Hughie Stirling, 68, was one of hundreds of activists taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian mission sailing to Gaza with the aim of delivering much-needed aid and breaking Israel's blockade of the besieged enclave.
On Monday morning, the activists were intercepted by Israeli forces while sailing in international waters around 250 miles away from the coast of Gaza – where Israel has no jurisdiction.
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Stirling is among the activists to have been detained, and there is no knowledge of his whereabouts or condition. It is likely that he will be taken to Israel and held in detention, before being deported – as happened with a similar flotilla which set sail last year, with four Scots on board.
The activist, from Ullapool, previously told The National that "it's frightening to sail into the military might and cruel minds of a world order that seems to have lost all compassion".
"I can only hope that by doing this some other ordinary people will also act, in a way they know is right to put an end to this slaughter of innocent civilians, many women and children," he added.
The final communication The National received before Stirling threw his phone in the sea – as is protocol for these missions when interception is taking place – was that an Israeli rib boat was approaching his vessel.
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Stirling's partner, Caroline, said she was both "terrified and immensely proud" of him, as she called on people to "speak out" against "the horrors in Gaza".
"The fact that this interception is happening in broad daylight indicates how free they [Israel] feel to break international laws," she told The National.
She continued: "I am both terrified and immensely proud of Hugh and all those putting their lives at risk. I keep thinking about the families of paramedics in Gaza and Lebanon who bravely say goodbye to their loved ones everyday knowing they may not come back from work."
She added that the flotilla is "seeking to draw your attention to our Government's inaction and complicity in allowing the horrors in Gaza to continue".
"They are asking us to act in any way we can – it doesn't have to be big and brave," she said.
Stirling initially joined the Global Sumud Flotilla with two other activists from Ullapool – friends Bryn Higgs and Owen Richardson-Okie. Both subsequently left as the mission progressed, with Higgs being one of around 100 activists detained by Israel in an earlier interception.
Another two activists, Brazilian Thiago Avila and Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek, were kept in detention and were taken to Israel, where they were held in jail for nine days before eventually being deported. The pair reported being subject to torture, with both also going on hunger strike.
Speaking to The National, Higgs said that Hughie is "a much-loved member of our community here in Ullapool".
"This morning he and his companions were illegally abducted by Israeli forces in international waters at gunpoint," he said.
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"Their crime? Taking humanitarian aid, including food and medicines, to people starving under the Israeli siege in Gaza."
Higgs said that the mission aimed to expose "British support" for Israel's actions in Gaza – which the UN has determined amounts to genocide – including "weapons manufacturing and exports, and the political cover that enables this genocide to continue".
He added: "Ordinary people like Hughie, from around the world, committed and trained in non-violence, will be subjected to Israeli brutality and imprisonment.
"Please help him and the other non-violent humanitarians from around the world who have been kidnapped by contacting your MP and asking them to call for their immediate release unharmed, and demand that our Government cease its complicity in Israel's crimes."
Scottish Greens MSP Ariane Burgess – who represents the Highlands and Islands region, where Stirling lives – called for "immediate confirmation" from the Foreign Office of what is being done to secure his release.
She told The National: “Reports that Hughie Stirling has been detained by Israeli forces while taking part in a humanitarian aid mission to Gaza are deeply alarming.
“His family, friends and community deserve immediate confirmation of where he is, his condition, and what is being done to secure his release.
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“The UK Foreign Office must act urgently to demand consular access, establish Hughie’s welfare and press Israeli authorities for his immediate release."
Burgess added: “Hughie and others on the flotilla were trying to deliver aid and draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. They should not be punished for standing up for human rights and international solidarity.
“The UK Government cannot stand by while Hughie is detained with no clear information about his whereabouts or condition. Ministers must intervene now.”
The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.
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