Global Sumud Flotilla docks in Cork

Global Sumud Flotilla activists Wilkie Whitingham and Frank Romano in Kinsale. Picture: Noel Sweeney

The next wave of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aims to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver life-saving aid to people trapped in lethal, dire conditions, has docked in Co Cork.

The Tenacity will be berthed in Kinsale until Sunday, when it will leave on the next stage of the Port-to-Port Mission, the latest wave of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which takes it and its sister ship, the Handala 2, across a series of European ports en-route to the Mediterranean and from there on to its ultimate destination of Gaza.

Fiacc Ó Brolcháin is captaining the boat for the first two legs of the trip.

The 74-year-old architect, grandfather, and experienced seafarer, was captured by Israeli forces earlier this year when volunteering with the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza. 

Some 22 Irish volunteers were on its international crew, including President Catherine Connolly’s sister, Margaret Connolly.

They were intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters in April.

Getting shot, even accidentally, by poorly trained, young, and heavily armed Israeli Defence Forces conscripts was Mr Ó Brolcháin’s biggest fear.

“It was pretty grim. The difficulty is that the Israeli Defence Forces have absolute faith in themselves. They believe they're doing the right thing, and they have no compassion with anybody other than themselves.

Fiacc Ó Brolcháin was captured by Israeli forces earlier this year when volunteering with the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza. Picture: Noel Sweeney

“When we were actually leaving their prison ship, a female soldier was beating up another woman who was actually leaving the boat, and one of the volunteers said to her, ‘stop doing that. Have you no humanity?’ 

“And she turned around, and she punched him in the face and said, ‘No.’ 

“It's really difficult. I have quite a bit of sympathy for them, in some ways, they're so heavily brainwashed that they're doing the right thing.

“And they're not even treated well by their own people. They were mainly youngsters who were conscripts, and their gear was poor, and obviously their training was poor.” 

Mr Ó Brolcháin volunteered with the flotilla after they appealed for experienced seafarers.

“They have a chronic shortage of skippers. I was horrified by what was happening in Gaza, so I decided to help if I could.

“My brief was to train up the crew so that they could take the vessel on for the last legs. I was never scheduled to go anywhere near the Israelis.

“We were on the high seas when we were captured. It was an act of kidnapping and piracy." 

Mr Ó Brolcháin was then held on an Israeli ‘prison ship’ for the next two days.

Activist Fionn MacArthur maintaining the lifeboat. Picture: Noel Sweeney

Because he was the second-oldest on board, he believes he escaped the violence some activists endured.

One third of the detained flotilla crew had to seek hospital treatment for injuries, including broken bones, on release from Israeli forces.

“They were kicked and beaten. There were also reports of sexual assault,” he said.

But he endured freezing nighttime temperatures, having the deck flooded with water, and having frequent loud noises to disrupt sleep.

“They were intent on making us uncomfortable as much as ever they could.

“It's very strange to suddenly be completely out of control of whatever happens to you in a very violent atmosphere.” 

This time, Mr Ó Brolcháin will pass over the boat to another captain in France.

Frank Romano, activist on the Global Sumud Flotilla in Kinsale. Picture: Noel Sweeney

“I'm only doing a small bit, but every bit helps. It's like grains of sand, and one day there'll be enough grains of sand and the balance will be tipped.” 

Despite a supposed ceasefire in Gaza, the violence and killing continue.

At least 73,400 Palestinians have been killed in the war, and more than 174,300 have been wounded.

Many of the victims have been children and women.

Approximately 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.

Events:

Fundraisers and events are being held in Kinsale for the flotilla over the coming days.

• Paul the Barber will give free haircuts on Friday to fundraise for Gaza between 5pm and 7pm.
• A vigil will be held at the Temperence Hall on Friday from 7pm-8pm, which will include live music performances.
• A screening of the film The Voice of Hind Rajab will follow in the Temperance Hall at 8pm.
• On Saturday, the Flotilla crew will host a Q&A from 1pm at St Catherine’s Cultural Centre followed by a beach gathering from 7pm at Kinsale beach.
• The public is also invited to see the boat off on Sunday at 1pm from the Fisherman’s Pontoon.