Irish senator on board Gaza flotilla expects Israel will try to stop them soon

Speaking to the 'Irish Examiner' from the Global Sumud Flotilla, senator Chris Andrews said he expects Israeli forces will water cannon and try to board the 52 boats 'fairly soon'. Picture: Stefanos Rapanis/Reuters

Irish members aboard the flotilla to Gaza were “getting ready for interception” as they believed Israel could forcibly try to stop their mission on Tuesday night.

Sinn Féin senator Chris Andrews is aboard one of 52 boats on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is trying to carry lifesaving aid to Gaza.

His boat was already hit by multiple explosions from drones in European waters recently, some landing just feet from potentially deadly and highly combustible diesel drums.

But on Tuesday night, he said he expected Israeli water cannons to bombard the boat before being it is boarded by Israeli forces and the humanitarians arrested.

Having been on board an earlier flotialla which was intercepted, Sinn Féin senator Chris Andrews expected Israeli special forces will water cannon the Global Sumud Flotilla and then board the 52-strong flotilla. 

The level of violence which may be employed is not known, he said.

"If they're not going to let us reach Gaza, then they'll have to intercept us prior to us getting too close. 

And because there are 50 boats, they'll need to start fairly soon because we could be there in a day or so.

“And they'll be do it at night when everybody's tired.” 

The crew was preparing for possible interception on Tuesday.

“There's not much you can do, just to all be on the same page for when the attack does come — knowing where lifejackets are, getting rid of your phones.” 

Mr Andrews has been on four previous humanitarian flotillas to Palestine, the first in 2008.

Senator has experienced this before 

On a previous flotilla in 2011, his boat was water cannoned and then intercepted by Israeli special forces who held the humanitarians at gunpoint.

He was arrested and held in an Israeli jail for one week before being deported.

“You have an idea what they're going to do, whether they're more aggressive or violent this time," he said.

Not even the eyes of the world on the flotilla are likely to temper Israel’s behaviour hugely, because public scrutiny has not lessened the brutality shown to civilians in Gaza, he said.

They've been able to act with impunity, and there's no consequences for anything they do.

“But morale is good, everybody's just a bit anxious now and ready for it.

“But we’re still determined to create the humanitarian corridor and deliver aid, to do what governments failed to do.

“And to let Palestinians know that they have not been forgotten.”

Novelist Naoise Dolan is among the Irish people on board the 50-plus boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla sailing towards Gaza. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan/OSM

Despite US president Donald Trump announcing this week that a new peace deal was close, Mr Andrews was ambivalent about its future.

“If they're serious about it they would stop the genocide in Gaza, they'd allow aid through, they'd allow flotillas like ours through as a measure of good faith."

Irish novelist and TD join flotilla

Author Naoise Dolan and Independent TD Barry Heneghan joined the flotilla from Sicily on Saturday.

“We've put the aid wherever we can, we’re carrying mostly medicine,” Ms Dolan said.

“I'm very rationally aware of what might happen but I’m not afraid."

Independent Dublin Bay North TD Barry Heneghan is also on board the Global Sumud Flotilla which is currently sailing towards Gaza. File picture: Brian Lawless/PA

That it has taken civil society to try to break the blockade and bring lifesaving aid to Gaza is “both beautiful and horrendous,” she said.

“That it's come to this can never be forgiven or forgotten,” she said.

“What Palestinians are asking for is the independence that any of us would want for ourselves.”

The crew have had to process complex emotions while facing almost certain hostility from Israel, which wields one of the world’s most powerful armies.

However, continued anger over the situation in Palestine remained the strongest feeling amongst crew, she said.

“You're intensely aware of what's happening in Gaza and you know it will keep getting worse until something is done.

Members of the Global Sumud Flotilla including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Cork comedian Tadhg Hickey. Picture: Instagram

“And there's the heaviness of that, and the awareness that has been left up to us.” 

 Some people on the flotilla are under financial pressure and have had to take time off work and leave their families to participate.

“I'm lucky my family have been very supportive but some people's families don't want them doing this," Ms Dolan said.

“But at the end of the day we have to.

“I think everyone's quite firmly at peace that they're in the right.” 

Spanish naval ship Furor setting out from Cartagena for the eastern Mediterranean last week to assist the Global Sumud Flotilla if necessary in the event of an attack. Picture: Alfonso Duran/AP

A joint motion in the Dáil on Tuesday condemned the attacks by Israel on civilians and human rights activists including Irish citizens participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, seeking to deliver aid to the beleaguered and starving population of Gaza.