A SCOTTISH activist has said he feels "absolutely privileged" to be taking part in the largest civilian aid mission to Gaza.
James Hickey, a 52-year-old removals driver from Glasgow, is part of the Global Sumud Flotilla's UK delegation.
He is one of dozens of activists from 44 different countries sailing towards Gaza to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid and break Israel's siege.
Speaking to The National, Hickey said he felt "absolutely privileged" to be taking part in the historic flotilla.
"Our main concern is the genocide, the apartheid, the ethnic cleansing, and the man-made starvation affecting Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank," he said.
On a personal level, Hickey decided to join the flotilla mission because he feels "absolutely mortified by the livestreamed genocide we're all watching on our mobile phones" – but also because of his own family.
He said: "I have children, and hopefully in the future I will have grandchildren. What would I be able to say to my grandkids when they learn about this in the future and asked: 'What did you do in the face of this genocide?'
"Silence is complicity, and I won't stay silent. I will not hide from this, and I will resist this with every breath in my body."
"The amount of people from different cultures, countries, religions, who have all come together in support of this mission – it's really inspiring," he added.
Hickey also condemned the UK Government's own "abhorrent" role in Israel's genocide in Gaza, as he called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to "resign, call a General Election, and hand yourself into the Hague".
"Israel is actively murdering Palestinians who are desperately seeking aid – it's horrendous, and our government is complicit in it. I'm completely outraged and disgusted," Hickey told The National, pointing towards the surveillance flights which the UK military has sent over Gaza, sharing the intelligence gathered with Israel.
Hickey urged people following the Sumud flotilla's journey to "let the [UK] Government know that they no longer represent the people of this country".
"The majority of people in Scotland are absolutely ashamed of what is going on, and across the UK," he said.
He added: "I just can't live in a world like this. I have no option."
'Enough complicity – protect us'
The National also spoke with another UK delegate – Sami, a 57-year-old Palestinian residing in the UK. He is part of the UK delegation's land team, preparing activists to set sail.
"All my family is in Palestine, I am the only one in the UK," Sami told The National.
"Seeing what is happening on a daily basis and listening to the news every day, it is just beyond thinking. I thought we need to do something, especially because the genocide has gone on for more than 23 months.
"We can see people on TV who are being starved to death. We cannot do this anymore, it is not acceptable."
While Sami urged other civilians to become more "directly involved" in the flotilla's efforts, he also called on politicians to protect the activists on board.
He added: "To the politicians, my message is: Enough. Enough complicity, enough 23 months of silence.
"Stand with us, support us and protect us. 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."
