24th October 2025
Coming from a stormy North West this morning Donal Kavanagh was sitting in for Greg Hughes on the 9 to Noon Show and Seamus Gunn, our contributor, highlighted the progress or lack thereof of the Sumud Flotilla of which 42 of the 43 boats sailing to Gaza have been apprehended and brought ashore in Israel where upwards of 500 individuals sailing on the humanitarian mission are likely to be subject to deportation orders. He was of the opinion that their detention is illegal and was also in contravention of Maritime Law as they should have been allowed a safe passage in international waters, in this case the Mediterranean. Gunn reminded his host that in 2024 Israel’s occupation of Gaza was deemed illegal by the International Court and that the ICC had also issued a warrant against Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes. He said that while there was one boat, the Marinette continuing, it was likely to meet this same fate. He said that their detention was also in contravention of International Law, pointing out that they would likely be asked to admit that they entered Israel illegally before deportation proceedings went ahead. Gunn in his contribution emphasised that unfortunately International Law and Maritime Law has not been upheld, and the Sumud Flotilla was to highlight the inactivity on the part of governments around the world to address the ongoing atrocities occurring on an hourly, daily and weekly basis in Gaza which was continuing unabated.
He also referenced the Peace Plan being put forward and made the point that without Palestinian involvement he thought that this was the elephant in the room and that a lot more would have to be teased out before this would come to fruition, but he hoped that it could be further developed as an avenue towards peace. In relation to the Flotilla, he said that it was well named as those involved were steadfast in their perseverance in the face of immense adversity. He referenced that it was highly unlikely that this would be the end of the Flotilla attempts to gain access and to open the maritime route for the people in Gaza.
The Q&A that followed may be of interest to some and can be listened to below.