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Aid flotilla intercepted
Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Cyprus and detained activists, including Irish President Catherine Connolly’s sister Dr Margaret Connolly, according to The Irish Times.
“at least 30 of their 54 boats, with 11 Irish people detained so far”
The Irish Times said organisers reported Israeli forces had intercepted at least 30 of their 54 boats and that 11 Irish people were detained so far, while Sky News reported at least six of 15 Irish participants were among those detained.
The flotilla set sail Thursday from the Turkish district of Marmaris, and organisers said 426 people were taking part from 39 countries, including 15 people from Ireland, as The Irish Times reported.
In a prerecorded message released by the flotilla, Margaret Connolly said: "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."
The Irish Foreign Ministry said it was "actively monitoring the situation" and would provide consular assistance to impacted Irish citizens, according to Sky News.
Pride, worry, and protests
Speaking in London after visiting King Charles at Buckingham Palace, President Catherine Connolly said she was "very proud" of her sister but also "very worried about her," as reported by The Irish Times.
The Irish Times also quoted Karen Moynihan, who said the detained Irish people included Dr Margaret Connolly, a Sligo GP, and criticised the Government’s response by accusing it of doing "absolutely nothing" to help Irish people detained after previous flotilla efforts.
Amid the detention, campaigners and politicians framed the interception as a legal and moral breach, with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald describing Monday’s actions as "yet another brazen violation of international law" by Israel.
The Irish Times reported that People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett urged people to protest outside Leinster House on Wednesday as TDs debated a Bill he introduced to implement sanctions on Israel.
In her video message, Connolly appealed to the Irish Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill, saying: "The cause of Palestine is the moral compass of our time, it is what makes us human."
Diplomatic fallout and next steps
Ireland’s government condemned the interception and detention, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin saying the Government “has raised concerns for the welfare of those detained with the Israeli authorities” and calling for “their immediate release,” according to the Irish Independent.
“calling for “their immediate release””
The Irish Independent reported that Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee confirmed that 12 Irish people are being detained and said she was trying to “build a consensus” among member states to respond in a “coherent” way to Israel’s actions.
Spain also moved diplomatically, with Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares describing Israel’s interception as “a new violation of international law” and calling it an “unacceptable act and an illegal detention,” according to Middle East Monitor.
The Irish Independent said the Global Sumud Flotilla reported 10 boats in a 60-vessel flotilla were intercepted shortly after 9am on Monday, with organisers saying the interception happened approximately 70 nautical miles off Cyrpus and at least six of 15 Irish participants were among those detained.
Israel’s foreign ministry said it “will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza” and called on “all participants in this provocation to change course and turn back immediately,” as The Irish Times reported.
