KEIR Starmer has refused to offer protection to the UK citizens taking part in a historic aid mission to Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla has begun its journey to the besieged enclave, with the aim of delivering much-needed aid to Gaza's starving population.
It is the largest humanitarian mission of its kind, with dozens of activists from 44 different countries taking part – including a delegation from the UK.
The Sumud mission follows closely behind two recent flotillas, the Madleen and the Handala, both of which were intercepted before they could reach Gaza, with Israeli forces detaining and eventually deporting those on board.
Both vessels were sailing under a British flag, meaning they were under UK jurisdiction.
Yet despite this, the Labour Government refused to make any public comment or intervention regarding either mission, remaining silent when Israel intercepted and arrested those on board – including a UK civilian.
And during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, the Labour leader said his Government would not be offering any protection to the UK civilians taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy addressed the Prime Minister: "This week, the Global Sumud Flotilla, which includes British citizens, set sail for Gaza to break the illegal blockade and deliver much-needed aid.
NEW: Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy has questioned Keir Starmer on what steps the UK Government is taking to protect British citizens on the Global Sumud Flotilla The flotilla is sailing to break the Israeli blockade and bring humanitarian aid, food, water, and medicine to Gaza pic.twitter.com/bmCpcNklHG
— The National (@ScotNational) September 3, 2025
"In June, the British boat – the Madleen – was threatened and its crew detained, but we took no action.
"Can the Prime Minister say what has been learned from this, and what steps are being taken to protect the British citizens on this flotilla?"
Starmer responded: "Mr. Speaker, she raised a really important issue in relation to the horrifying situation in Gaza.
"The Israeli government is preventing urgently needed aid from getting in, and that is why we're now seeing a man-made famine, and that should cause us all to pause and reflect."
The Prime Minister added: "We are working with other countries to get aid in by any practical means, but land routes are the only sustainable means of getting aid into Gaza at the scale that is required.
"Israel must lift the restrictions to allow aid agencies to deliver the life-saving supplies that are so desperately needed."
The Prime Minister's comments come after a member of the UK delegation called on politicians to "support" and "protect" British civilians taking part in the Sumud mission.
The National spoke to two members of the flotilla's UK delegation: James Hickey, a 52-year-old removals driver and father from Glasgow, and Samir, a 57-year-old Palestinian living in the UK.
Samir urged politicians to "stand with us, support us and protect" the UK civilians taking part in the historic aid mission.
He told The National: "It's not easy for us to go, and it's not our job. You drove us to be putting ourselves in danger and taking this risk.
"It's your duty as the leaders of this world to go and stop this genocide, but you're not doing it, and that's why we're taking it in our hands."
A Foreign Office spokesperson refused to say the Government would intervene, instead repeating the Prime Minister's line that delivering aid by land, not sea, is the "only viable and sustainable" route.
The spokesperson said: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is appalling. We continue to call for a massive humanitarian response to prevent more deaths.
“We have been clear that delivery of aid by land routes is the only viable and sustainable means of getting aid into Gaza at the scale required. Israel must immediately lift restrictions to allow aid agencies to deliver lifesaving aid to those who so desperately need it.
“The Foreign Secretary announced [on Monday] that the UK is providing an additional £15m to get aid into Gaza and provide medical care for those in need.”
