SCOTTISH activists taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla have issued a final plea to the UK Government as they face an "imminent" threat of attack.
The flotilla, made up of more than 500 participants from 44 different countries, is aiming to sail to Gaza to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid.
But as the flotilla nears Gaza, which is expected within the next few days, activists have faced increasing threats of interception or attack from Israel.
Just last Wednesday, 13 of the flotilla's vessels were reportedly attacked, with "multiple drones, unidentified objects dropped, communications jammed and explosions heard from a number of boats".
Activists have warned of an "imminent threat" of attack within the next 48 hours, as the flotilla approaches the "interception zone" where previous missions were halted by Israel.
Israel has repeatedly dubbed the mission a "Hamas flotilla" and has vowed to treat those taking part as terrorists.
Yet while other governments have spoken in support of the flotilla, and several have sent navy ships to offer support to their own citizens taking part, the UK Government has remained silent.
With Israel likely to intervene at any point, the four Scottish activists taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla have now repeated calls for the UK Government to intervene.
Jim Hickey, Sid Khan, Margaret Pancetta, and Yvonne Ridley have urged MPs to "do their jobs" and protect the 13 British citizens on the flotilla.
Hickey, a 52-year-old removals driver who is sailing on the Seulle, called on MPs in Scotland and in the rest of the UK to "simply do your jobs and advocate and look out for the citizens of the UK who are taking part in this mission".
Meanwhile, 48-year-old Khan – who is also vice chair of the SNP-affiliated Scots Asians for Independence (SAFI) – said from onboard the Adara: "With recognition of Palestine as an independent state comes the recognition of territorial waters.
"Therefore, please ensure that we, a humanitarian non-violent mission simply looking to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid, can reach Gaza.
"Prevent Israel from illegally hijacking our vessels, [stopping] us from delivering the aid."
Pancetta, a 70-year-old veteran pro-Palestine activist from Glasgow, sailing on the Omar Al Mokhtar Flotilla – which has now joined the Sumud – said: "We're British citizens, protect us. All the other governments are coming around, protecting their citizens.
"Shame on you if you don't support us."
And Ridley, 67, an award-winning journalist and founding member of the Alba Party, who is travelling on the same boat as Pancetta, told The National: "I feel totally abandoned by the British Government.
"In Westminster, they've made it clear that they have no intention at all of protecting me as a British citizen, which they promised to do in the passport I carry.
"It's obviously worthless, and it's quite clear to me that Britannia does not rule the waves."
The location of the Seulle and Adara vessels can be tracked here.
Meanwhile, the Omar Al Mokhtar Flotilla can be tracked here.
Both the UK and Scottish governments have been contacted for comment.
