Family of Cork-born activist deported from Israel 'very relieved' to have her home

Cork woman D Murphy, who was arrested in the West Bank last month, was set to return to her home in Swansea, in Wales, yesterday.

Ms Murphy, originally from Douglas, was arrested in the Masafer Yatta region on May 31 and was taken to an Israeli prison, where she fought for 10 days against deportation.

The Cork native, who is 70, was brought to a deportation hearing on June 1, alongside Swedish national Susanne Björk, whereafter she decided to remain in prison.

According to the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) group, in which Ms Murphy is involved, she was then brought in front of a Detention Review Tribunal on June 4, without legal advice or representation, despite repeated requests for same.

The next hearing for her deportation case was scheduled for July, but Ms Murphy was set to return to the UK yesterday.

Ms Murphy and Ms Björk were accused of being in a military area and were removed by Israeli forces. Israeli forces are in the village of Khalet Al-Daba’a, in the Masafer Yatta region, where communities are facing forcible displacement.

Ms Murphy’s son, Dale Ryan, said that although he is proud of his mother for shining a light on the conditions Palestinians are facing, he is “relieved” that she is on her way home.

“The past 10 days have been intense, and we have had to trust that the Israeli authorities would treat my mother fairly, [ensuring] her basic needs were met,” said Mr Ryan.

“From their treatment of the Palestinians over the past several decades, this was not something we had the most confidence in. My mother did not want to be detained or deported, she wanted to be in Masafer Yatta with her friends, helping them in any way she could.

“I know that she would have been pleased that her situation helped to draw some more eyes to the appalling treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and the humanitarian crisis we are witnessing in Gaza

“As a family, we are all very relieved to have my mother home.

“I know after a day’s rest [she] will be back gathering support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and for the fair treatment of all Palestinians, after me and all her family give her a massive hug.”

A spokesperson from the ISM said that “decisive steps” must be taken by Western governments to bring “an end” to the conflict in Palestine.

“It comes as no surprise to see that Ms Murphy’s rights under Israeli custody were undermined,” they said.

“It is a harrowing development that as she is deported, the Israeli forces are [in] the village of Khalet Al-Daba’a, where she and [Ms] Björk were arrested.

“Murphy’s case has served to remind us that the international community not only has an obligation to stop trade and relationships with Israel, but also to take decisive steps to bring the occupation of Palestine to an end.

“We are equally sorry to see a shy response from both the Irish and British governments.”