Concerns Grow for Yvonne Ridley and Tadhg Hickey After Reports of Aggressive Treatment in Israeli Custody and Delays in Traveling
Occupied Palestine (QNN)- Concerns are growing for Scottish journalist Yvonne Ridley and Irish comedian Tadhg Hickey after reports of aggressive and intimidating treatment while in Israeli custody, reported The National. Both activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission that sought to break the Gaza siege, before being kidnapped by Israeli forces.
The flotilla, carrying nearly 500 participants, was sailing in international waters when Israeli forces intercepted it overnight between Wednesday and Thursday. The Israeli navy stole more than 40 boats and kidnapped everyone on board, transporting them to the port of Ashdod.
Ridley, 67, sailed on the Omar Al-Mukhtar vessel with fellow Scottish activist Margaret Pacetta. Their boat departed from Libya before joining the Global Sumud Flotilla. Hickey, known for his political comedy and outspoken support for Palestinian rights, was also part of the mission.
According to The National, both Ridley and Hickey were supposed to be on a flight to Istanbul with other deported activists. However, they were not seen with the group during the transfer from Israel’s Ketziot prison, raising serious concerns about their wellbeing and whereabouts.
Many activists detained from the flotilla were taken to Israel’s Ketziot prison in the Negev desert, a facility long criticized for human rights abuses. Israeli group B’Tselem documented severe mistreatment there in a 2024 report titled “Welcome to Hell,” citing beatings, lack of food and water, and sexual abuse.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited Ketziot on Friday. He called the flotilla participants “terrorists” and demanded they be imprisoned “for a few months” to “get used to the smell of the terrorist wing.”
It remains unclear where Ridley and Hickey are being held. The National reported that Ridley joined other detainees in a hunger strike to protest Israel’s crimes.
Ridley, an award-winning journalist and founding member of Scotland’s Alba Party, became known internationally in 2001 after being captured by the Taliban and held for 11 days. Hickey, from Cork, has gained a wide following for his satirical videos challenging Western media bias and defending Palestinian rights.
Ridley’s family said her treatment in custody was “deeply concerning.” Israeli officers reportedly confiscated her jewellery, including a Cartier watch, and replaced her medication with substitutes, which she refused to take. She has also declined food in protest.
“She is alive and staying strong,” Ridley told her family in a short message.
Her husband, Samir Asli, urged people to call for her release. “Yvonne has always acted from a place of conscience, compassion, and international law,” he said. “Please keep her in your thoughts and keep sharing her story until she’s safely home.”
British and Irish officials have contacted Israeli authorities seeking consular access.
Israel has faced mounting condemnation for its violent raid on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to break its 18-year blockade on Gaza and deliver aid to the enclave’s 2.3 million residents. The Israeli attack violated international and maritime law, as the flotilla was intercepted in international waters.
