An Irish man who has made his home in Burry Port is among more than 175 activists detained after Israeli naval forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters off the coast of Greece.
Martin Guilfoyle, who previously lived in County Clare in Ireland before moving to Wales several years ago, was on board a vessel called the Romantica when Israeli forces boarded it in the early hours of Thursday 30 April, around 600 miles from Gaza. He turns 75 today.
Martin is the uncle of Sinn Fein Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle, who represents Clare and has been raising the alarm with Irish authorities since the interception. “They have intercepted the boat my uncle, Martin Guilfoyle, an Irish citizen, is on – and no one knows the whereabouts of that boat at the moment,” Cllr Guilfoyle said. He described those who boarded the vessels as “Israeli pirates” and said he had contacted the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, the Greek embassy and the Israeli embassy demanding action to protect his uncle.
Before he was taken, Martin recorded a video message. “My name is Martin Guilfoyle,” he said. “I am an Irish citizen, I hold an Irish passport, but I come from the UK. If you’re watching this video I have been kidnapped by the IDF and taken to Israel against my will. Tell my government to end complicity with Israel and to bring me home. Stop the genocide.”
His daughter Laura Guilfoyle shared the video publicly, writing: “He is an Irish citizen, a proud Cork man. He will be 75 tomorrow. Please share his story and encourage people to contact the Irish embassies and the DFA to demand the immediate release of my dad and all the crews who have been kidnapped by the Israeli Navy.”
Burry Port resident Shelly Godfrey-Coles, who knows Martin locally, also shared an appeal on social media. “Local man Martin Guilfoyle has been abducted by Israel whilst attempting to deliver aid to Palestinians,” she wrote. “Demand Martin’s release now.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla – the largest ever sea mission attempting to deliver aid to Gaza – was sailing near the Greek island of Crete when Israeli military speedboats moved in on Wednesday evening. Activists reported their communications being jammed, followed by drones overhead and military vessels surrounding the fleet. Israeli soldiers then boarded 22 of the 58 boats at gunpoint, detaining more than 175 people in total. Seven of those detained are Irish citizens. The flotilla was carrying essential supplies including food, medicine and baby formula.
Also detained was Chris Hill from Clwt y Bont near Caernarfon in north Wales, who was on board a vessel called the Eros 1st. A third Welsh-connected sailor, Hannah Schafer from New Quay in Ceredigion, remained free on Thursday – her boat was not among those boarded and she was continuing the voyage.
It is not the first time a Welsh-based activist has been seized by Israeli forces while attempting to reach Gaza by sea. Deidre Murphy, a Swansea great-grandmother, was jailed by Israel after protesting in Palestine and later fought deportation while being denied legal counsel. She eventually returned home to Swansea after her case attracted widespread attention. Her case drew questions in Westminster from local MPs about the safety of British and Welsh activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed that around 175 activists had been detained and were being transported to Israel. Israel says its blockade of Gaza – in place since 2007 when Hamas took control of the territory – is necessary to prevent weapons being smuggled to militant groups. Critics argue the blockade amounts to collective punishment of Gaza’s two million civilians, who face severe restrictions on food, medicine and basic supplies.
Flotilla spokesperson Gur Tsabar said: “Israel has no jurisdiction in these waters. Boarding these boats amounts to illegal detention – potentially kidnapping on the high seas. It’s critical that all governments act now.” Turkey described the interception as an act of piracy. The UK Foreign Office had not publicly commented as of Friday morning.
Solidarity events are being planned across Wales, and families of those detained are being kept informed as the situation develops.
