The sister of the Irish president has made a plea in a pre-recorded video after being “detained by Israel” on an aid flotilla to Gaza. Dr Margaret Connolly, the sister of Catherine Connolly, is among several pro-Gaza Irish activists who were intercepted by Israel at sea whilst attempting to deliver aid, the Global Sumud Flotilla Ireland said in social media posts. In a video message posted on Instagram, which appears to be recorded before her detention, she said: “If you are watching this video, it means I have been kidnapped from my boat in the flotilla by the Israeli occupying forces". “ I ask you all to support the call to immediately free my comrades in prison,” she said, before calling on the Irish government to support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.