President Connolly’s sister among Irish activists detained by Israel after Gaza flotilla intercepted

LAST UPDATE | 4 mins ago

DR MARGARET CONNOLLY, the sister of President Catherine Connolly, is among a number of Irish citizens who were detained by Israeli forces after a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was intercepted in the Mediterranean this morning, organisers have said.

The Global Sumud Flotilla said several of its vessels were intercepted by Israeli naval forces just after 9am local time (7am Irish time) in international waters approximately 70 nautical miles off Cyprus. Communications were reportedly cut during the operation, and at least 10 of the flotilla’s 60 vessels have been boarded.

“This operation is ongoing, and as we speak more than 10 of the boats from the 60 strong flotilla have been intercepted and boarded by armed naval units and we have lost contact with them,” a flotilla organiser confirmed in a statement.

In a video shared on social media following the Israeli interception, Dr Connolly, a GP based in Co Sligo, is seen holding her Irish passport as she explains that she has been detained.

“If you are watching this video, it means I have been kidnapped from my boat in the flotilla by Israeli occupying forces,” Connolly said.

Her sister, President Connolly, is currently on a three-day state visit to the UK, where she is expected to meet with King Charles.

Irish organisers said at least 15 Irish citizens were aboard the flotilla, with six now understood to have been detained.

The other Irish citizens detained by Israeli forces have been named as Tom Deasy, Cormac O’Daly, Joshua St Leger, Louise McCormack and Catriona Graham.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that officials “are actively monitoring the situation” regarding the flotilla and “are engaging with the relevant authorities”.

“The Department will provide consular assistance to impacted Irish citizens,” a department spokesperson added.

Flotilla organisers have said that the interception by Israeli forces “has no legal basis”.

“All of the participants from Ireland and around the world on this flotilla are acting within the law to deliver aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza who have been failed by all states and international institutions,” a flotilla organiser said.

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The organiser added that the Irish delegation of the flotilla “calls on the government to explain to the families and loved ones of the boat participants why they continue to allow their citizens be abused in this manner and why they have continued to support the genocide of the Palestinian people.”

Israel said it had moved to stop what it described as a “provocation”, claiming the flotilla was not carrying humanitarian aid and was intended to support Hamas and undermine ceasefire efforts.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Israel’s naval forces for intercepting the flotilla, saying the troops had “thwarted a malicious scheme”.

“I believe you are doing an extraordinary job… and are in effect thwarting a malicious scheme designed to break the blockade we have imposed on Hamas terrorists in Gaza,” Netanyahu said.

“You are carrying this out with outstanding success… and certainly with far less fanfare than our enemies had anticipated… Carry on to the very end,” Netanyahu told the commander leading the interception, according to a statement from his office.

The Israeli foreign ministry said the convoy included groups it described as “violent” and urged participants to turn back immediately.

The flotilla organisers rejected those claims, insisting the mission was peaceful and aimed at challenging Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.

They accused Israeli forces of acting illegally in international waters and called on governments to intervene, saying: “WITNESS IS PROTECTION. PRESSURE YOUR GOVERNMENTS.”

The convoy, which reportedly included around 50 vessels, had set sail from southern Turkey last week.

It marks the latest attempt to deliver aid to Gaza by sea during the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

A number of flotillas have been intercepted by Israel in recent months, with activists detained and later deported.

The previous flotilla, which included many of the same ships and activists as the current convoy, launched in April, and was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off the coast of Greece.

Roughly 175 activists were then taken to the Greek ⁠island of Crete and released ⁠after their vessels were seized. Two activists were taken back to Israel, arrested and then deported days later.

Speaking to The Journal at the time from a flotilla vessel off the coast of Crete, Dr Connolly said: “This is absolutely illegal – against the law – against everything”.

Israel has maintained a naval blockade on Gaza since 2007.

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