What Irish Senator said just before he was illegally kidnapped by Israel aboard Global Sumud Flotilla

“This crime is reckless aggression intended to prevent any relief to the suffering they impose on the Palestinian people.”

NOTE FROM THE EDITORS (October 8): After a short break, our volunteers resume publishing today and have decided to dedicate a day’s coverage to how the world has stood with Palestine – and, in particular, the Global Sumud Flotilla over the last week, highlighting international coverage as part of our ongoing commitment to anti-imperialism and global justice.

By Sinn Féin

Last Wednesday night, the Global Sumud Flotilla was  illegally intercepted and seized by armed Israeli forces in international waters off the coast of Egypt, less than 50 nautical miles from Gaza. The flotilla, including Senator Andrews’ boat, the Spectre, was violently assaulted by Israeli military forces, with participants kidnapped by armed Israeli agents. Speaking on Wednesday night, immediately prior to the Spectre being intercepted, Senator Andrews said: “Israel’s brutal actions tonight are completely illegal, and show their disregard for international law and human rights. The Global Sumud Flotilla is a purely humanitarian and non-violent mission carrying food and aid to a starving population.

This crime is reckless aggression intended to prevent any relief to the suffering they impose on the Palestinian people. Israel has once again shown itself to be a rogue state that uses warfare and violence to maintain its oppression of Palestine. The European Union has proven itself to value the interests of Israel over the safety and well-being of its own citizens, with Spanish and Italian warships abandoning the flotilla at the critical moment. The Irish Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs urgently need to act to ensure that my fellow Irish participants and I are not mistreated while in Israeli captivity. I want to thank my family, friends and comrades who have supported this flotilla, and I am looking forward to continuing my activism for freedom and justice when I am able to return home.”

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• Chris Andrews is an elected Senator in Ireland- you can follow him on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram and TikTok.
• You can watch an interview with him onboard the flotilla conducted by former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams here.
• This article is taken from Sinn Féin’s 3 October 2025 email bulletin.
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