President’s sister detained by Israel, flotilla organisers say

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

Dr Margaret Connolly, the sister of President Catherine Connolly, is among at least six Irish citizens aboard an aid flotilla that have been detained by Israel, organisers say.

The Global Sumud Flotilla said that 10 boats in a 60-vessel flotilla were intercepted in international waters and boarded by Israeli forces shortly after 9am on Monday.

Organisers said the interception happened approximately 70 nautical miles off Cyrpus, with at least six of 15 Irish participants among those detained.

The Global Sumud Flotilla said it has lost contact with the intercepted boats.

The flotilla has posted videos from Dr Connolly and five others, which appear to have been recorded in advance of their detention.

In her video, Dr 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.

“I am so proud to be taking part in this flotilla -it is the largest to date.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for the flotilla said: “This attack on the flotilla has no legal basis and 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.

“We are now extremely concerned for the safety and welfare of all 15 Irish participants and the hundreds of other participants who are on the flotilla.”

In the same statement, Maureen Alma, a nurse in her late 60s, said: “I am sailing as part of the healthcare team on the Doctors to Gaza boat with the Global Sumud Flotilla to break the siege and show solidarity with our Palestinian colleagues.

“Israel has destroyed the healthcare system in Gaza, slaughtered more than 2,000 healthcare workers and imprisoned or disappeared close to 400 doctors.

“The Irish Government along with Western governments remain complicit in this genocide and have dramatically failed in their moral responsibility to uphold International Law.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs has been contacted for comment.