Activist arrested off Gaza coast

Andrew Muncie was previously detained by the Israeli military in 2003.

A human rights activist accompanying Palestinian fishermen on a fishing trip has been arrested by the Israeli navy off the coast of Gaza.

Andrew Muncie, 34, and two other campaigners were being held near Tel Aviv Airport, according to his father, who lives in Spean Bridge, Lochaber.

John Muncie, a retired teacher, said his son was refusing to be deported.

He said: "Andrew and the fishermen were doing nothing wrong. We are obviously concerned for him."

News agency AFP said Mr Muncie was arrested alongside Vittorio Arrigoni, from Italy, and American Darlene Wallach, as well as 14 fishermen.

It reported that the Israeli military said the action was taken because the boats deviated from a fishing zone off the Gaza coast and the crews had refused to turn back.

John Muncie said his son, who has been in the region since August, had previously witnessed and filmed gun boats "intimidating" fishing boats by firing near them.

Andrew Muncie was detained in 2003 after obstructing Israeli soldiers in the West Bank town of Nablus in 2003.

His family has been in contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.