Mark has been quick to speak out strongly against the attack by Israeli forces on a ship bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza which left 9 people dead and around 30 wounded. He has signed a Motion in Parliament condemning the attack and the blockade of Gaza. To read it click here.

Theresa McDermott, a postal worker from Pilrig pictured opposite, was aboard one of the other ships in the flotilla and Mark has also contacted the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, urging him to demand her immediate release from Israeli custody. UK consular authorities confirmed today that she was one of those held by the Israelis.

Mark said:

“These civilian activists were no threat to Israeli security. The responsibility lies squarely with Israel forces who have acted brutally and in blatant disregard of international law.

“This tragedy once again underlines the need for an end to the blockade of Gaza - the ships were carrying medical supplies and schoolbooks not guns and rockets.

“I am deeply concerned about the welfare of my constituent, Theresa McDermott, who has been seized by Israeli authorities and I have written to the Foreign Secretary urging him to press Israel to release her as soon as possible.

“Theresa’s actions are simply aimed at highlighting in a brave manner the plight of the people of Gaza and in turn I will do all I can to try to make sure she comes home safely.”

The leading ship in the flotilla, the Mavi Mamara, appears to have been boarded by Israeli forces in international waters and the troops opened fire with live ammunition.

Mark strongly opposed Israeli action in Gaza in December 2008 and in particular the shelling of clinics and schools which Israel initially claimed to be accidental.

POSTCRIPT: Mark has subsequently received the information below from Theresa McDermott about her detention:

I have at last managed to get time and space to write to you concerning my deportation by Israel on Wednesday 2nd June 2010 after being detained by their Navy in International Waters on Mon 31st May while travelling to Gaza with humanitarian aid.  First of all I would like to thank you for your efforts on my behalf.
 
I have several issues about the manner of our deportation that day and our treatment over the course of our internment but the main one is that they constantly refused people consular or legal access over the course of the Wednesday while we understand that both consular officials and our legal teams were trying to see us.  During that time we were experiencing high levels of intimidation and pressure from the Israeli Security Forces.  After you saw us when we had just been put into the high security prison van we were kept inside that van for a full 5 hours, only being unloaded into the airport after 4pm even though we tried to shout to them that one of our number was pregnant and that we needed toilet facilities, we were then surrounded and jostled by soldiers as we entered the airport and later I saw 4 people beaten by the Israelis including one Irish national who was beaten when he asked to see his embassy officials before agreeing to deportation.   Our group was finally processed through to the flight at around 11.30 pm after being kept surrounded by soldiers and constantly being intimidated, photographed and jeered at throughout our time in the airport.

We were then deported to Turkey with no possessions, some people did not even have their purses with credit/debit cards, cash or passports.  We literally had only what we left the boats wearing.  As far as I knew this is a breach of international convention if not law?  since it leaves the deported person in an incredibly difficult situation. They told us we had no option but to go to Turkey and that all of our bags had already been sent there, I can confirm that none of the people who were on the Challenger 1 got any of their belongings back even though we checked through everything which was sent to Turkey.

Theresa McDermott
Free Gaza Member
Challenger 1 Crew

The goods taken belonging to Free Gaza – Scotland also included material clearly labelled for delivery to either Wafa Rehabilitation Hospital, The Hagar Project or The Gaza Community Mental Health Programme and £800 worth of the cement on board which was to be handed over to UNWRA.