A PROMINENT Scottish independence activist sailing to Gaza in a historic humanitarian effort has slammed the Labour Government's "despicable response" to calls for protection.
Sid Khan, from Glasgow, is one of hundreds of people taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which has set sail to Gaza with the aim of delivering much-needed humanitarian aid.
The flotilla is made up of around 50 boats with activists from 44 different countries, including 13 participants from the UK – two of whom are from Scotland.
Yet despite recent attacks on the flotilla, and "credible intelligence" from EU government officials suggesting another attack could take place within the next 48 hours, the UK Government has remained silent.
Khan, who is sailing on the Adara vessel, branded the response "despicable" and said it was reflective of the UK Government's own complicity in the genocide in Gaza.
The 48-year-old is vice chair of the SNP-affiliated Scots Asians for Independence (SAFI) group.
SAFI has been working for the last two decades to facilitate the engagement of ethnic minorities for the SNP, to advocate for an independent Scotland and to ensure community issues are raised directly with the SNP and the Scottish Government leadership.
Khan said he decided to sign up to the flotilla after "watching in horror as the genocide continues to unfold, livestreamed on social media".
While he has campaigned and lobbied to raise the issue for almost two years, Khan said he was looking for an opportunity to take part in direct action.
"SAFI has long been calling for an independent Scotland to break free of the shackles of Westminster, giving us the necessary levers for the Scottish people to better manage Scotland for themselves," Khan told The National.
"In the same manner, we advocate for a free Palestine that gives the Palestinians the dignity and right to self-determination they have been long denied."
On Tuesday evening, the flotilla reported being subject to drone attacks while sailing in international waters. There were 13 explosions and chemical attacks onboard several vessels, although no injuries were reported.
Khan claimed the UK Government had refused calls for help and instead advised volunteers to "call the coastguard".
He said: "My wife contacted the FCDO [Foreign Office] in a panic to raise the issue and ask for support, only for her to be told not to bother wasting their time and the flotilla should call the coastguard.
"This despicable response is reflective of the UK Government's complicity."
Khan said it is "mandatory" for any state to respond to a distress call from its citizens, adding: "Instead, we were shunned off as irrelevant."
The UK Government refused to provide an official statement when contacted by The National regarding Tuesday's attacks.
Khan said the UK Government's recent recognition of the state of Palestine meant it has an "additional responsibility to provide legitimate support to this nation in desperate need".
He called on Westminster to uphold international law, "not just when it suits the small number of tainted politicians heavily involved with the Zionist regime."
Khan said: "The UK Government continues to provide military, political and economic support to Israel which not only allows it to continue with impunity but further emboldens it.
"The UK has a huge role in the creation of the current situation, from the Balfour Declaration to today – the situation on the ground in Palestine will not change unless there is a marked shift in the UK Government's position.
"The UK Government is complicit in the genocide by the position it has taken, and all parties should be held accountable for their actions."
Khan added that he and his crewmates were all “extremely concerned” about the risk of further attack, adding that the flotilla had been advised that Israel “intends to escalate its violence and may attempt to sink a boat in the next 48 hours”.
He told The National: “Of course we are worried, I have three pensioners on my boat that were petrified at the explosions going off the other night.
“We are all feeling the heightened risk and are extremely concerned – and it’s taking its toll mentally and physically.”
But Khan added: “The need in Gaza is greater than the threat and danger we face on this journey.
“I have nephews and nieces that I love and couldn’t bear to see even hurt by a scratch or fall. Watching the images of starving babies, children having their limbs amputated without anaesthetics, breaks my heart and motivates us all to continue to break the illegal siege of Gaza.
“While the flotilla is important in opening a humanitarian corridor, the more important issue is the increasing destruction and ethnic cleansing of Gaza.”
