Dr Margaret Connolly, the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly, is among at least six Irish citizens aboard an aid flotilla that have been detained by Israel. The Global Sumud Flotilla reported that 10 boats in a 60-vessel flotilla were intercepted in international waters and boarded by Israeli forces on Monday morning. Organisers said the interception occurred approximately 70 nautical miles off Cyprus, with at least six of 15 Irish participants among those detained.
President Expresses Concern
President Connolly has described the incident as 'quite upsetting' and, while expressing pride in her sister, admitted she is 'very worried about her'. The flotilla has posted videos from Dr Connolly and five others, recorded in advance of their detention.
In her video, Dr Connolly stated: 'If you are watching this video, it means I have been kidnapped from my boat in the flotilla by the Israeli occupying forces, and I'm now being held illegally in an Israeli prison.' She added: 'This is the largest one to date, and now we sail for Gaza to open a humanitarian pathway to bring much-needed aid and medical supplies to the people of Gaza.'
She continued: 'I feel utterly compelled – as a mother, a doctor, and as a human being – to help in this flotilla. I wish to appeal to the Irish government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill without fail. The cause of Palestine is the moral compass of our time, it is what makes us human. Their humanity is our humanity.'
Irish Organiser Condemns Interception
Karen Moynihan, Irish lead for the Global Sumud Flotilla, told the Press Association that six Irish citizens had been 'kidnapped'. She said: '15 Irish people – along with hundreds of other people – completely legally sailing on a humanitarian mission, have been intercepted and abused again by Israel. Currently, over the past seven months, 33 Irish citizens have been kidnapped by Israel, and our Government is considering whether they're even going to sanction Israel – it is absolutely horrific, and the Government needs to be called out fully on its complicity in genocide, and there is no other way to put it.'
Government Response and Israeli Stance
A spokesperson for the flotilla asserted there is no legal basis for the arrest of participants trying to deliver aid. The Department of Foreign Affairs stated that officials 'are actively monitoring the situation regarding the Global Sumud Flotilla' and are engaging with relevant authorities.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry, on X, described the flotilla as a 'provocation and a search for publicity', claiming there was no aid on board. They further blamed Hamas, stating: 'The purpose of this provocation is to serve Hamas, to divert attention from Hamas's refusal to disarm, and to obstruct progress on President Trump's peace plan.'
The Global Sumud Flotilla has lost contact with the intercepted boats, raising concerns for the safety of those detained. The incident adds to tensions surrounding aid deliveries to Gaza and the ongoing conflict.
