THE family of a Scottish activist imprisoned by Israel after the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla has issued an update.
Yvonne Ridley is “safe and accounted for”, her family have said, after claims spread that the journalist and activist was “missing” after being detained by Israeli forces.
Ridley previously reported being met with “aggressive” and “intimidating” behaviour from military personnel while imprisoned.
In a statement shared with The National on Monday evening, her family said: “Yvonne is safe and accounted for.
“She remains on hunger strike and has not yet been given her regular medication
“She continues to stand firm in her principles and spirit. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers – your messages of support mean a great deal.
“We are continuing to press for faster progress and clearer communication from those responsible.”
Ridley is being held in the notorious Ketziot prison in the Negev desert, where human rights abuses have been well documented.
The update comes as fellow Scottish activist Margaret Pacetta (above) arrived in Scotland on Monday after being deported to Istanbul on Saturday.
Pacetta and Ridley were both onboard the Omar Al Mokhtar flotilla, which joined the Global Sumud Flotilla in the journey to Gaza, where activists hoped to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid.
Upon returning to Scotland, Pacetta detailed the “absolutely horrific” conditions she was allegedly subject to while she was imprisoned.
Ridley is originally from the north east of England but is based in Scotland and is a founding member of the Alba Party.
She is also an award-winning journalist who made headlines in 2001 when she was captured by the Taliban and held for 11 days after entering Afghanistan without a visa.
Alba leader Kenny MacAskill previously told The National: “It is essential that those detained are being treated humanely and that Yvonne Ridley and others held captive have access to medical care and necessary medications.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Greens external affairs spokesperson Patrick Harvie said: “The Israeli military should not be allowed to get away with kidnapping people at sea for trying to deliver vital aid.
“The UK Government should be calling out this abuse, demanding their safe and immediate release and ending their support for a military and government that would act in this way in the first place.
“The reports about the treatment of Yvonne Ridley are shocking, and show a total contempt for basic human rights.
“If Israeli forces are prepared to treat an established journalist and activist like Yvonne in this way when the world is watching, then how are they treating Palestinians who do not have that same voice and platform?”
On Monday, External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said he was "deeply concerned for the safety and integrity of the Sumud Flotilla" and that he had asked Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper for an update on the Scots still detained in Israel – Ridley, Jim Hickey and Sid Khan.
The National understands the UK Foreign Office will not be providing a running commentary on individual cases.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting a number of British nationals who have been detained in Israel and are in touch with the local authorities.”
