The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising activists from more than 45 countries, set sail in early September in what organisers described as the largest civilian initiative to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid directly to Palestinians. Among the participants were sixteen Irish citizens, including Sinn Féin Senator Chris Andrews.
Earlier in the month, Irish barristers Gemma McLoughlin-Burke BL and Leigh Brosnan BL, together with English solicitor Alexander Hogg, travelled aboard the independent legal support vessel Shireen, which accompanied the flotilla to provide neutral legal observation and analysis. The Shireen separated from the flotilla prior to its interception.
The flotilla vessels were intercepted in international waters by Israeli forces, who detained those on board, including the sixteen Irish nationals. The detainees were reportedly held at Ktzi’ot Prison, a detention facility in Israel’s Negev desert commonly used to detain Palestinians. Legal representatives from Adalah, The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, stated that several Irish detainees described “aggressive treatment and violence” during detention, including being kicked while sleeping, pushed, and restrained with cable ties for several hours.
International participants, including Swiss and Spanish nationals, have also alleged inhumane conditions during detention, citing sleep deprivation, restricted access to food and water, and physical mistreatment. Israeli authorities have rejected these allegations as “complete lies”.
All sixteen Irish citizens detained by Israeli authorities have now been released and are returning home, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris, has confirmed. However, a number of other international activists remain in detention.
The Tánaiste stated that his department had prioritised the safety and wellbeing of Irish citizens throughout the incident, coordinating consular assistance and maintaining contact with families in Ireland. He reiterated that the Irish government supports peaceful humanitarian efforts conducted in accordance with international law.
Click here for current status updates of detainees available on the Global Sumud Flotilla Page