THE UK Government has finally broken its silence after Israel kidnapped activists sailing in international waters while taking part in a flotilla to Gaza.
A total of 15 UK citizens were on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a major humanitarian mission sailing to Gaza with the aim of delivering much-needed aid.
On Monday, Israeli forces began intercepting the flotilla in international waters – where Israel has no jurisdiction – with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu commending his soldiers for "thwarting" the aid mission.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that it had completed interception on Tuesday evening, detaining around 430 activists in total. Lawyers representing the group confirmed on Wednesday that the activists were being taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Another PR flotilla has come to an end. All 430 activists have been transferred to Israeli vessels and are making their way to Israel, where they will be able to meet with their consular representatives. This flotilla has once again proved to be nothing more than a PR stunt at…
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 19, 2026
Two people from Scotland are among those to have been kidnapped by Israel – Hughie Stirling , a 68-year-old activist from Ullapool, and Dr Antonis Vradis, a staff member at the University of St Andrews.
The Foreign Office had stayed silent on the incident, initially declining to provide a comment when approached by The National.
It is understood that officials have been supporting the families of those affected - but The National previously told how they were "appalled" by the Foreign Office's "lack of action" in securing the activists' safe return.
A Foreign Office spokesperson has now told The National: “We are closely engaging with Israeli authorities with the expectation that the situation will be resolved safely and in line with international law.
"Efforts to deliver aid by sea highlight the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Israel must do more to allow sufficient aid into Gaza in line with agreed minimum targets set out in the 20-point plan."
This marks a slight shift in position from the previous flotilla which took place last year, which involved four activists from Scotland.
The Foreign Office said then that it expected "the situation to be resolved safely, in line with international law and with due respect for the rights of all those on board".
But it also said that delivering aid in Gaza on the scale needed "can only be done through the well established land routes", a position which appears not to have been taken this time round.
The UK Government's statement comes as the US imposed sanctions on four activists behind the flotilla, claiming without evidence that the organisers are trying to reach Gaza "in support of Hamas".
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement: “The pro-terror flotilla attempting to reach Gaza is a ludicrous attempt to undermine President Trump’s successful progress toward lasting peace in the region.
“Treasury will continue to sever Hamas’ global financial support networks, no matter where in the world they are.”
Rights activists have rejected the allegations, saying that the Trump administration is using sanctions and the label of "terrorism" to silence Palestinian activism.
