Helen McEntee demands ‘immediate release’ of Irish flotilla detainees

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

The Foreign Affairs Minister has demanded the “immediate release” of Irish participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla who have been detained in Israel.

Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of President Catherine Connolly, is among at least 12 Irish citizens on board the flotilla that were detained by Israel, according to organisers.

Hundreds more participants from other countries have also been detained.

Full statement: https://t.co/F4yOucMhNR pic.twitter.com/n7sMCt83Pv

— Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) May 20, 2026

In a video on social media, Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is shown walking among some of the detainees and saying they should remain in prison for a long time.

The footage shows some people kneeling on the ground in tightly packed groups with their hands tied behind their backs.

In a statement on Wednesday, Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said: “I am appalled and shocked by the video footage circulated by Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, in which illegally detained participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including Irish citizens, are not in any way being treated with appropriate dignity or respect.

“At my instruction, Ireland’s ambassador to Israel has demanded immediate assurances that the welfare and wellbeing of all Irish citizens is safeguarded, and that they are afforded all the protections that they are entitled to under international law.

“I have also demanded their immediate release.

“I can assure their families and loved ones that our citizens will be afforded all appropriate consular assistance and support as soon as we secure access to them.”