THE UK Government has issued a statement after horrific footage emerged showing Gaza flotilla activists being brutally assaulted by Israeli officers.
Video footage shared by far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Wednesday shows activists who had taken part in the Global Sumud Flotilla being subject to horrific treatment, with one officer violently grabbing a woman's head and shoving her to the ground.
The video also shows the activists with their hands tied behind their back and forced to kneel as their heads touch the floor, while Ben-Gvir – who has previously been sanctioned by the UK Government for his comments about Gaza – can also be seen taunting, laughing, and waving a giant Israeli flag.
More than 400 activists were sailing as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian mission aiming to sail to Gaza to deliver aid, before they were intercepted by Israel in international waters earlier this week.
They have now all been detained by Israel on a large makeshift prison ship. Lawyers representing the group confirmed on Wednesday they were being transported to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Two Scots are among the 15 UK activists to have been kidnapped: 68-year-old Hughie Stirling, an activist from Ullapool, and Dr Antonis Vradis, a staff member at the University of St Andrews.
The video shared by Ben-Gvir has sparked several diplomatic incidents, with a number of governments summoning Israeli ambassadors in response.
The UK Government remained silent for around five hours after the footage was first posted, until 4.48pm on Wednesday when Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper shared a statement on Twitter/X.
This marks the first time the Foreign Secretary has issued a comment on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail last month.
The Foreign Secretary said: "I am truly appalled at the video posted by Israeli Cabinet Minister Ben-Gvir taunting those involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla.
"This violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity in the way people should be treated."
Cooper added: "We are in touch with the families of a number of British nationals involved to provide them with consular support.
"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."
I am truly appalled at the video posted by Israeli Cabinet Minister Ben-Gvir taunting those involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla. This violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity in the way people should be treated. We are in touch with the families of a number…
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) May 20, 2026
Both the French and Italian governments have summoned their Israeli ambassadors in response to the horrific footage.
The National has asked the Foreign Office if the UK Government plans to do the same.
The Scottish Greens condemned Israel's "horrific and degrading treatment" of the activists, "whose only crime was trying to get humanitarian aid to Palestinians who are being starved, bombed and denied the most basic human rights".
Scottish Greens MSP Patrick Harvie told The National: “Itamar Ben-Gvir is a far-right extremist who has repeatedly shown utter contempt for Palestinian life and for international law. For him to parade and humiliate detained civilians in this way is grotesque, and it should be condemned without hesitation.
“The UK Government should summon the Israeli ambassador immediately and demand the immediate release of every person who has been detained, as well as full consular and medical access, to provide them with legal support and make sure they are safe and unharmed."
Harvie added that the UK Government must "demand accountability, end UK complicity in the occupation of Palestine, and make clear that the detention and abuse of humanitarian activists is totally unacceptable".
Meanwhile, Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell has also written to the Foreign Office demanding officials take action to secure the release of Dr Vradis, who is his constituent.
"Whatever your views on the flotilla's mission may be, British citizens are entitled to the protection and support of their government when they are detained overseas," he said.
