A SCOTTISH activist who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla has faced "aggressive" and "intimidating" treatment while being imprisoned by Israel.
Yvonne Ridley, 67, was one of nearly 500 people who took part in the historic mission attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The flotilla had almost reached Gaza when Israeli forces intercepted the convoy overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday, while sailing in international waters where Israel has no jurisdiction.
The Israeli military seized more than 40 boats, detained the activists on board and took them to Israel, where they were first processed at Ashdod port.
Ridley was sailing on the Omar Al Mokhtar Flotilla with fellow Scottish activist Margaret Pacetta, which first set sail from Libya before eventually joining the Global Sumud Flotilla.
It is understood activists have now been imprisoned while awaiting deportation, with a number sent to the notorious Ketziot prison in the Negev desert in southern Israel, where human rights abuses have been 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".
It is not clear at this point where Ridley is being imprisoned. However, The National understands that she has joined a number of other activists in going on hunger strike.
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.
The National understands Ridley was given consular access on Friday, where it was reported the conditions she is being held in are "deeply concerning".
Her family has been told her treatment has been "aggressive" and "intimidating".
It is understood Israeli officers have taken away her medication and provided her with substitutes, which she has refused to take.
Her jewellery – including a Cartier watch – has also been confiscated.
Ridley has reportedly refused to eat and is on a hunger strike in protest against Israel's imprisonment of the flotilla activists – which has widely been deemed illegal under international and maritime law.
Ridley passed on a short message to her family, that "she is alive and staying strong".
While her family raised concerns for Ridley's wellbeing, they added that her "spirit remains unbroken".
Her husband, Samir Asli, urged people to call for Ridley's immediate release and said she was "on a mission of conscience to help starving children".
He told The National: "Yvonne has always acted from a place of conscience, compassion and international law.
"Please keep her in your thoughts and keep sharing her story until she's safely home."
Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill told The National: “Israel is yet again acting contrary to international law and in a bullying and aggressive manner.
“The UK Government should be defending the rights of their citizens, condemning Israeli behaviour and demanding immediate release of both the flotilla and all those aboard.
MacAskill went on to say that "UK complicity with Israel must cease".
He added: “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.”
The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.
