Husband of Sligo GP Margaret Connolly fears for her safety after Israeli forces seize Gaza aid boat

"Israeli authorities boarded a number of boats in international waters approximately 130km off Cyprus on Monday morning. Speaking to 'The Sligo Champion' Cllr Bree said he was very proud of his wife. "Margaret fiercely opposes injustice and she is passionate about the Palestinian cause. "In addition to Israel's campaign of genocide, as a medic she is also conscious that more than 1,700 doctors, nurses, consultants and paramedics have been killed by the Israeli military over the past two years.""

"Cllr Bree said he had a brief call from his wife on Monday morning before the interception. "Margaret told me Israeli military ships were approaching the flotilla. However within minutes the phone signal dropped." "I expect that was due to the Israeli's jamming all communications from the flotilla. In keeping with protocol she would have thrown her phone overboard before the Israeli's boarded her boat.""

""Since then I have had no communication from Margaret. I presume that she and her colleagues were transferred to an Israeli military prison ship." "I find it outrageous that the Israeli regime can illegally abduct Irish and other civilians in the middle of the Mediterranean, in full view of the world. It clearly confirms that Israel is a rogue state with no respect for international law.""

""What we are talking about 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.""

Israeli forces boarded boats in international waters about 130km off Cyprus on Monday morning, including the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla carrying aid to Gaza. Dr Margaret Connolly, a medic and the wife of Sligo GP, reported that Israeli military ships were approaching before her phone signal dropped. Her husband said he had no further communication since the interception and presumed she and colleagues were transferred to an Israeli military prison ship. Cllr Declan Bree condemned the interception as illegal and described it as the abduction of activists, including Irish citizens. He cited the killing of more than 1,700 medical personnel by Israeli forces over the past two years and called the actions a violation of international law.

Read at Irish Independent