A humanitarian gesture by Scottish firefighters has sparked a diplomatic standoff, as a fire engine donated to their counterparts in the occupied West Bank remains impounded by Israeli authorities. The Guardian reported on Friday that the fire engine, equipped with essential medical supplies and firefighting gear, was sent to Nablus last summer but has been held at the Port of Ashdod since July 2024. Israeli officials have imposed $21,271 in fees on the Nablus governorate, citing the vehicle’s right-hand drive configuration as non-compliant with local regulations. Despite documented clearance, the fire engine has not been released, prompting Scottish firefighters to seek intervention from the UK government to repatriate the donation and avoid further financial burdens on Nablus. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has escalated efforts to resolve the issue, including presenting an early day motion in UK Parliament, lobbying the Israeli ambassador, and organizing protests outside the Israeli embassy in London. FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack emphasized the dire conditions faced by Palestinian firefighters, stating, ‘It is appalling that life-saving equipment donated by our members is being held by Israeli customs while Palestinian firefighters are in desperate need of resources.’ The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has also engaged with Israeli authorities, urging increased humanitarian aid access to the Palestinian territories. The donation, which includes fire helmets, protective equipment, and medical supplies, underscores a decades-long partnership between Dundee and Nablus, twinned since 1980. However, the impasse highlights ongoing challenges in delivering aid to the West Bank, where firefighters face chronic shortages of essential equipment.
Gift to Palestinians from Scottish firefighters seized by Israel, may be sent back to UK: Report
