Seven Irish citizens ‘kidnapped’ after Gaza flotilla intercepted, organisers say

Seven Irish activists have been “kidnapped” after Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, its organisers have said.

A spokesperson for the group said 22 Irish people are involved in the flotilla and described it as “a peaceful humanitarian mission bringing aid and aiming to break the siege on Gaza”.

They said their boats were in international waters off the coast of the Greek island Crete when Israeli authorities “rammed” and boarded their vessels.

Seven Irish participants were taken “along with hundreds of others”, said Karen Moynihan, head of the Irish Global Sumud Delegation.

“They attacked the flotilla, rammed boats, boarded boats with guns” she added.

“People were forcibly removed, they were kidnapped.

“We do not know where they are right now.”

It is understood that crew members of the intercepted flotilla are expected to be released in Greece.

The Irish citizens who were taken have been named as Catriona Graham, Fiacc O’Brolchain, Robert Murphy, Colm Byrne, Martin Guilfoyle, Michael Fix and John Connellan.

President Catherine Connolly’s sister is part of the flotilla, but is not believed to be among the activists being held.

A video of Dr Margaret Connolly, on board a boat, was posted to Instagram on Wednesday night along with a caption which said “surrounding boats” were being intercepted.

In the video she says “please call for our release, the release of all Palestinian hostages, should we be attacked and abducted tonight”.

Supporters of the Global Sumud Flotilla organised a protest outside Leinster House on Thursday to call on the Government to “do everything they can to protect the safe passage of the humanitarian mission, and protect Irish participants from illegal Israeli aggression”.