Margaret Connolly, sister of Irish president Catherine Connolly, has been illegally kidnapped in international waters by the ‘Israeli’ Occupation Forces (IOF).

Margaret was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a group of ships containing representatives from across the world. They are attempting to reach Gaza and provide the humanitarian aid desperately needed by a population still being denied necessities by so-called ‘Israel’.

Margaret’s message

Speaking in a prerecorded message created for release in the event of her capture, Margaret 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 am now being held illegally in an Israeli prison.

She continued:

As you know, the Israeli Zionist regime has imposed a siege on Gaza since 2007. For over 75 years, they have persecuted and tortured the people of Gaza. Millions and millions of people have been displaced.

She added:

I feel utterly compelled as a mother, a doctor, and as a human being to help in this flotilla.

Following the news of Margaret’s abduction, president Connolly said:

It seems like this happened in international waters and it’s a cause of worry really, and I’m very proud of my sister but I’m worried about her.

Impunity of Zionist kidnappings

It is Connolly’s second abduction by terrorist forces from the illegitimate land theft project. She was previously one of around 175 activists taken in international waters by the IOF in late April and early May.

The ‘Israeli’ goons dumped most of the activists in Greece. However, numerous flotilla members were brutally beaten by the Zionist thugs when peacefully objecting to the IOF decision to illegally imprison Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila.

The terrorists took the two men back to the genocidal settler-colony, where they were tortured and paraded in front of a court. Tel Aviv ultimately released the men following an international outcry. Tragically, Ávila’s mother died during his imprisonment.

The president’s sister ultimately rejoined the flotilla. She is one of at least 11 Irish activists that the IOF abducted in the flotilla’s latest wave. Others include Fra Hughes and Helena Kearns, organisers for charity Palestine Aid Ireland and Gaza Ground Aid respectively.

60 boats illegally intercepted

At the time of writing, the Global Sumud Flotilla tracker is reporting that 60 boats have been illegally intercepted by forces of the apartheid regime. 10 heroically continue to sail towards Gaza.

Margaret Connolly’s husband Declan Bree highlighted the outrageous impunity the ‘Israelis’ enjoy as they conduct these abductions. He said:

it has to be said that the abduction of civilians in the middle of the Mediterranean in the full view of the world clearly confirms that Israel is rogue state with no respect for international law.

What we’re talking about here is the unlawful seizure of Irish citizens and citizens of other nations on the open sea, essentially an assertion that the Israeli regime can operate with total impunity far beyond its own borders with no consequences.

No state has the right to police or occupy international waters and that’s exactly what Israel is doing.

The flotilla is not merely an attempt to get aid to the people of Gaza. It is also an excellent means of highlighting further lawlessness by the Zionist entity, and the extraordinary acquiescence of governments across the world, even when such crimes are carried out against their own citizens.

Taoiseach offers meaningless words but no action

Genocide participant Micheál Martin had little more than feeble words to offer in response to the illegal taking of his own citizens by the apartheid entity. He said:

Such interceptions and detentions are wholly unacceptable and must stop. The government will also discuss with EU partners how we can ensure the safety and wellbeing of our citizens.

It would be more useful to be discussing and implementing sanctions against the land thieves. A core demand of the flotilla activists has been for Irish citizens to use the present moment as an opportunity to pressure TDs into backing the Sanctions Against the State of Israel Bill proposed by People Before Profit. It would bring in far-reaching boycott measures against Tel Aviv, including a complete ban on importing and exporting technology and goods to and from the Zionist pseudo-state.

Martin’s government continued to dodge by dismissing the bill as not “the most effective or legally sustainable path forward.” Its chances are slim, given that the weak Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) has been on the table for eight years, with the current government doing everything possible to delay and water it down.

Martin’s preferred response to Palestine activists is to pepper spray and brutally beat them, as the Garda did once again when a group of demonstrators attempted to gain entry to Fianna Fáil’s ard fheis (conference) on Saturday May 16.

Margaret Connolly concluded her video message by calling on the government to, at minimum, pass the OTB and:

follow the will of the Irish people to support the people of Palestine to establish an independent, sovereign state. It is the least we can do for our brothers and sisters, and for ourselves.

Featured image via X 

By Robert Freeman

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