Gaza activist to be sent back to Ireland
Activist Shane Dillon who was seized by Israeli authorities in a commando operation which left at least 10 people dead on an aid flotilla will be sent back to Ireland today.
Six other Irish campaigners – including Dr Fintan Lane and Fiachra O Luain - are being detained in the Be’er Sheva detention camp, where they face deportation.
The three named activists were on board Free Gaza boat Challenger 1 which was boarded by Israeli forces in international waters as it travelled from Cyprus.
Nobel peace prizewinner Mairead Maguire remains on board the Irish-owned vessel MV Rachel Corrie, which the Israeli navy is preparing to stop.
Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin, who maintains that the Irish citizens were kidnapped, confirmed the Irish ambassador in Tel Aviv was finally given permission to meet Mr Dillon at Ben Gurion Airport before his departure.
The ambassador and officers from the Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv are also due to visit the detained Irish citizens during the day.
“I will continue to press for full consular access being allowed, as is provided for under international law,” said Mr Martin.
“I will be reporting to the Government later this morning on my meeting yesterday with the Israeli ambassador and on the measures which my department is taking to secure the immediate and unconditional release of those Irish citizens detained by Israel.”
The UN Security Council has also called for the immediate release of all the ships and citizens detained by the Israeli authorities.
Mr Martin said he had made it clear to Israeli Ambassador Dr Zion Evrony that the Irish Government expects the immediate and unconditional release of all the Irish citizens detained.
“The seven individuals concerned did not enter Israel illegally; rather they were essentially seized from international waters, taken into Israel and asked to sign documents confirming that they entered illegally. This is simply not acceptable,” he said.
“I would note that the UN Security Council, in a presidential statement issued earlier today, has called for the immediate release of all the ships and citizens detained by the Israeli authorities.
“Israel needs to listen to and act in accordance with the united voice of the international community on this issue.”
Meanwhile, Michael D Higgins, president of the Labour Party, said the Irish Government should demand that Israeli authorities allow the MV Rachel Corrie free passage to discharge its humanitarian cargo in Gaza.
He said those on board the vessel wanted to discharge their cargo to help ease the suffering of the residents of the Gaza Strip.
“However, given the savagery of the assault by Israeli forces on the flotilla that left from Cyprus at the weekend, there must be serious concern about the safety and welfare of those on board the Rachel Corrie,” he added.
