Middle East Crisis Protests

Irish President's Sister Detained by Israel

Irish President Catherine Connolly's sister has been detained by Israel after sailing to Gaza with the Global Sumud Flotilla activist convoy, Politico reports.

- I am very proud of my sister, but also very worried for her, says the president.

Margaret Connolly, a GP from Sligo in northwestern Ireland, is one of at least 11 Irish activists who were detained when Israeli forces boarded their ship on Monday. 

Israel stops another ship convoy in the Mediterranean

The Israeli military has stopped another ship convoy belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla activist group, AFP reports.

The ships were heading to Gaza with emergency aid when they were stopped west of Cyprus. In a press release, the Global Sumud Flotilla writes that this is the first time this has happened during the day.

“The passivity of the outside world means that Israel now clearly feels no need to even try to hide its crimes,” says Swedish spokesperson Anna Fransson.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praises the military for the operation, calling the activist group a “malicious plot” to support Hamas.

Another of Global Sumud’s convoys was stopped as recently as last month, this time off Crete.