Dr. Margaret Conolly, sister of Irish president Catherine Connolly, has joined an international flotilla attempting to challenge Israel’s long-standing naval blockade of Gaza, setting sail on Sunday, April 27, as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The mission, which organisers describe as a humanitarian effort to deliver medical aid and open a maritime corridor to Gaza, is expected to face interception by Israeli forces, as with previous attempts over the past two decades.
Dr. Conolly’s participation comes against the backdrop of a sharp shift in Irish politics following the election of her sister, Catherine Connolly, a far-left independent who secured a landslide victory in October 2025. The president has been an outspoken critic of Israel and Western governments over Gaza, repeatedly accusing them of moral failure and aligning herself with pro-Palestinian positions.
Israel has enforced a naval blockade on Gaza since 2009, citing security concerns over weapons smuggling. Multiple flotillas have sought to breach it, most notably in 2010, when Israeli commandos boarded a convoy of six ships, resulting in deadly clashes. Subsequent missions in 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2025 were intercepted before reaching Gaza.
Last year, several vessels were again seized in international waters, with activists, journalists, and politicians detained and later deported.
Dr. Conolly acknowledged the likelihood of a similar outcome. “They have no right to board our boat. If they do, we will offer no resistance. We will put our hands in the air and there will be no violence from us,” she said, referring to the Israeli Defence Forces.
“We are prepared to be arrested, but we will obey and will not react or give any cause for them to shoot or beat us,” she added, noting that participants have undergone training in how to respond to a boarding.
Crew members have also prepared for detention scenarios, including recording SOS messages in advance and planning to dispose of sensitive materials before any interception.
Despite the risks, Dr. Conolly said the group remained committed to its objective. “We’re all here for a reason—to open a humanitarian corridor. We have medical aid on board and we want to break the siege of Gaza by land, air and water.”
However, previous flotilla efforts have consistently failed to reach Gaza or alter the blockade, raising questions about whether such missions can achieve more than symbolic impact.
