EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Irish News) – Belfast man Fra Hughes and Lurgan’s Helena Kearns among detainees that include sister of Irish President.
By Paul Ainsworth • Irish News
Key Takeaways
- Belfast’s Fra Hughes and Lurgan’s Helena Kearns are among those detained by Israeli forces while on an aid mission to Gaza.
- The Global Sumud Flotilla’s vessels were raided in international waters, leading to significant international concern.
- Hughes and Kearns sent videos from detention, highlighting their abduction and calling for intervention from global leaders.
- Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan demand the release of the detainees and accountability for Israel’s actions.
- Over 70,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the start of the 2023 invasion of Gaza.
A Belfast man and Lurgan woman seized by Israeli forces in waters off the coast of Gaza have told supporters of their resolve in continuing to highlight the plight of the Palestinian people.
Fra Hughes and Helena Kearns are among members of an aid flotilla that saw vessels raided in the east Mediterranean Sea on Monday.
Over 40 vessels that were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla were boarded, after more than 50 departed the Turkish port city of Marmaris last week, on a mission to deliver aid to people in Gaza by sea through Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Volunteers from across the globe are taking part in the flotilla, and Mr Hughes, from north Belfast and sailing on the Diabolo boat, and Ms Kearns, who was aboard the Iridescence, are two Irish citizens from Northern Ireland detained by Israeli forces, out of 14 from across the island believed to now be in custody.
Among then is Dr Margaret Connolly, the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly, who was sailing on board the Blue Toys vessel.
It is the second time Mr Hughes has travelled with the Global Sumud Flotilla, after taking part in a mission to Gaza last October.
Medyascope exclusive: Fra Huges sends dispatch moments before his vessel was intercepted by an Israeli warship.
During that journey, he gave up his place on a vessel later boarded by the Israelis, and he remained in Crete on another boat awaiting repairs before eventually returning home.
On the outbound journey last year, he had described the fear caused by Israeli “drone attacks” on the flotilla, and attempts to disrupt their communications.
Over 70,000 Palestinians are now thought to have been killed by Isreali forces since the invasion of Gaza began in 2023.
The Global Sumud Flotilla has released prerecorded videos of all members thought to have been detained during Monday’s raids.
“If you’re watching this video, I have been kidnapped in international waters by the illegal Zionist state,” Mr Hughes states in his video.
“Please ensure the voices of Palestinians calling for an end to the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians are raised, along with the determination to allow us to continue with our humanitarian mission in Gaza.”
Meanwhile, Helena Kearns said in her video that she has been “abducted by force against my will by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in international waters”.
“My kidnapping shows once again the violations of the IOF and their complete impunity to do what they want.”
Holding up her Irish passport, she spoke of the “complicity of my government permitting the apartheid and genocide of the Palestinian people”.
“I ask the Irish government to cease its complicity in genocide and to do everything that they can to bring me home – to stop the suffering of the Palestinian people, to stop the genocide.”
A Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) spokesperson said it “demands the immediate, unconditional release of all our participants, alongside the more than 9,000 unjustly detained Palestinian political prisoners facing a codified regime of state-sanctioned terror”.
“GSF also calls on world leaders to demand the release of the flotilla participants, release of the Palestinian political prisoners and hostages and an end to the genocide and blockade on Gaza,” they added.
PM calls for release
Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin has called for all those from the flotilla who have been seized to be released by Israel.
“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,” he said.
Sinn Féin Mid Ulster MP Cathal Mallaghan said both the Irish and British governments need to “take decisive action to hold the Israeli regime to account for the daily horror inflicted on the people of Palestine”.
“The international community must step in to ensure those illegally arrested are protected and released immediately,” he added.
