FIRST Minister John Swinney has said he is "very concerned" about the wellbeing of the Scottish flotilla participants imprisoned by Israel.
Concerns have been raised over the three Scottish participants who remain in Israeli jail after taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Nearly 500 activists were sailing to Gaza to deliver much-needed aid when they were intercepted by Israeli forces overnight on Wednesday , while sailing in international waters where Israel has no jurisdiction.
Four activists from Scotland were taking part: Margaret Pacetta, Jim Hickey, Sid Khan and Yvonne Ridley.
Pacetta was deported from Israel to Istanbul on Saturday , where she reported a lack of access to food and water, and violent treatment from one of the officers. It is understood she will arrive in Glasgow on Monday.
Ridley was seen by British consul officials on Friday, where she reported being subject to "aggressive" and "intimidating" treatment.
The National understands Ridley has gone on hunger strike, while Israeli officers have also taken away her medication and provided her with substitutes, which she refuses to take.
Khan is understood to be on hunger strike along with Ridley and a number of other imprisoned activists. It is understood he has not been able to meet with consul officials at the time of writing.
Hickey has also not met with consul officials or lawyers at this point. The National understands Israel has not allowed the British ambassador to visit.
However, an activist who was sharing a cell with Hickey has reported that as of Saturday, he is "okay".
Speaking to LBC News on Monday, the First Minister raised his concerns about the wellbeing of the three Scottish activists who remain imprisoned by Israel.
He said: "I'm very concerned about the wellbeing of the individuals who are part of the flotilla that are now being held in Israel."
He was also asked about the four Scots detained by Israel after being on board the Gaza flotilla - says he’s “very concerned” pic.twitter.com/RDb3B3qK20
— @GinaDavidson (@ginadavidsonlbc) October 6, 2025
Swinney said the Scottish Government has been in touch with the UK Foreign Office "on an ongoing basis", adding that he is "very satisfied" with the level of engagement officials have had.
"What I would make a plea for is for there to be urgent consular access for all individuals to make sure their wellbeing is assured.
"That should be an absolute given in any of these circumstances, and also for the immediate return of those individuals.
"We are making those representations to the UK Government, who are of course interacting with the Israeli government on these questions."
Israel imprisoned all flotilla activists in the notorious Ketziot jail, where human rights abuses are well-documented.
A report published last year by Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, titled "Welcome to Hell", highlighted the cases of 12 Palestinians held there, citing a lack of food and water, severe beatings and incidents of sexual abuse.
Far-right Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was filmed visiting the jail on Friday, where he had repeatedly said the flotilla activists should be treated as "terrorists" and called for them to be imprisoned for "a few months [...] so that they get used to the smell of the terrorist wing".
On Monday, Israel announced it had deported a further 171 activists to Greece and Slovenia.
It is not clear whether the Scottish activists are among them.
A FCDO spokesperson said: “We are supporting a number of British nationals who have been detained in Israel and are in touch with the local authorities.”
