UK will not give diplomatic protection to its citizens on Gaza flotilla

The British government has said it cannot offer diplomatic protection to its citizens onboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, as Italy and Spain send ships to accompany it following an Israeli attack on Wednesday morning.

Mathilda Mallinson, MEE's correspondent onboard one of the flotilla's boats, said the British Foreign Office told her mother it was "unable to offer" diplomatic protection. 

Diplomatic protection is action the UK can take against another country for injury caused to a British national, or their property, in violation of international law. 

One boat Israel apparently bombed in Tunis, Alma, is a British vessel and flies the British flag. At least 13 people on the flotilla are British citizens.

Spain and Italy have sent naval ships into the Mediterranean Sea. Italy dispatched a frigate on Wednesday after an Israeli drone attack on the flotilla in international waters.

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