A FIRE engine donated to Palestine by Scottish firefighters has been impounded by Israel for over six months.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union in Scotland sourced a fire engine, stocked with lifesaving equipment including firefighting kit and PPE, breathing apparatus and medical supplies, and arranged shipment to the West Bank six months ago to assist with rescues.
The engine was transported 3500 miles, with firefighters driving it from Dundee to Southampton, where it was shipped to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
The donation arrived with the necessary paperwork but has remained impounded by customs for six months now – despite repeated calls for the vehicle to be released.
Now, Fire Brigades Union officials are urging the Foreign Office to step in.
The FBU’s Scotland Executive Council member Colin Brown told The Daily Record: “It is unforgivable that this emergency equipment is being withheld by the Netanyahu government.
“The Foreign Secretary should be demanding the immediate release of this vital life-saving equipment that has been donated by the FBU. The Israeli government cannot get away with such vindictive and cruel actions.”
SNP MP Stephen Gethins has reportedly written to the Israeli ambassador and Foreign Secretary David Lammy has also been contacted.
FBU official and former firefighter Jim Malone added: “It is outrageous that this much needed emergency equipment is still being held by the Israeli authorities.
“With a ceasefire in place the need for this equipment is urgent. The British Government must insist that the Israeli Government lift the blockade of the FBU’s donation so that it can contribute to relieving the humanitarian crisis on the ground.”
