Gaza flotilla activists return to Ireland, UK

British and Irish activists onboard the Gaza-bound flotilla returned to London and Dublin on Saturday after being abducted and imprisoned by Israeli forces.

Among the Irish activists was Margaret Connolly, sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly, who recounted being held with other detainees by Israel in “containers”, where several people risked hypothermia.

Seven UK-based activists landed in London, many of whom alleged that Israeli forces shot rubber bullets at them when intercepting the convoy of vessels.

“There was a woman in my prison cell who had a big hole in her leg as a result of one of those shootings,” said Hannah Schafer, a 62-year-old woman from Wales.

Others claimed several of the volunteers delivering aid to Gaza were subject to torture and sexual assault, including rape, by Israeli forces.