The “Global Sumud Flotilla,” en route to Gaza, was attacked on the high seas on Wednesday night—over 1,000 kilometers from the Israeli coast. Thirty-four activists were injured, and two organizers were abducted. On Sunday, an Israeli court extended its detention until at least May 5. Both report severe mistreatment. On board one of the ships: the medical doctor Margaret Connolly, sister of the President of Ireland. The incident is not an isolated case, but an expression of growing impunity with which Israel is increasingly openly disregarding international law.
It happened roughly 600 nautical miles off the coast of the Gaza Strip, in international waters west of Crete—far from Israeli jurisdiction. Around 10 p.m. on Wednesday evening, the signs intensified: drones circled, then a warship appeared on the horizon.
“The Israelis were picking off the boats one by one and arresting them,” recounts Irishman Jamie Goldrick. Radio communication collapsed; instead, pop songs suddenly played over the lines—a surreal acoustic backdrop for what followed.
Dr. Margaret Connolly, 67, was standing on the deck of her boat as the warship approached: “I packed up medications and passports.” Her boat escaped—the crew fled as Israeli speedboats boarded a neighboring vessel. Twenty-two of the 57 ships were attacked, 180 people detained, including seven Irish citizens. On board the Israeli warship, there was massive violence: activists were bound, dragged across the floor, beaten, kicked, and shot at. Thirty-four participants had to be treated in hospitals in Crete. Several suffered serious injuries.
There is grave concern for the fate of Spanish-Swedish-Palestinian activist Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila in Israeli custody. The Israeli human rights organization Adalah raises serious allegations: Avila was reportedly so severely abused that he lost consciousness multiple times and has since been held in isolation, bound and gagged. Abu Keshek reports that he was restrained for hours and held face down. Adalah has also challenged the legality of the entire proceeding: Israel has no jurisdiction over the actions of foreign nationals in international waters. Spain and Brazil are demanding the immediate release of their citizens.
The “Free Gaza Movement” began in 2008. In 2010, Israeli soldiers boarded the “Mavi Marmara” in international waters—ten Turkish activists were killed. There were no legal consequences. Subsequent flotillas were also attacked—again without legal repercussions. In October 2025, as part of the first “Global Sumud Flotilla,” Israel detained over 450 people, including Greta Thunberg. Irish participants such as comedian Tadhg Hickey reported “inhumane” treatment: toilet water used as drinking water, insulin denied to a 75-year-old, and nighttime intimidation. Again: no consequences.
This year’s attack marks a new escalation. Israel targeted the flotilla more than 1,000 kilometers from Gaza. Dr. Connolly, who escaped the seizure, appealed to the Irish public: “Please ask that Shannon Airport stop being used by the U.S. military to bomb the hell out of Gaza and Palestine, 95% of the military aid comes from the U.S. and Germany. We totally object to our airspace being used to commit genocide.”
The “Global Sumud Flotilla” has not yet achieved its goal—the peaceful breaking of the naval blockade of Gaza and the enforcement of the international right to humanitarian aid. Many boats have been destroyed. Others are waiting for better weather in Greek territorial waters before once again setting sail toward Gaza.
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