Taoiseach says flotilla interception in international waters ‘against law’
By Cillian Sherlock, PA
Israel’s interception of an aid flotilla sailing towards Gaza is a breach of international maritime law if it happened in international waters, the Taoiseach has said.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of 43 boats and 500 activists at its height, is attempting to carry humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The vessels were sailing in international waters north of Egypt and had entered what activists and others called a “danger zone”.
While still in international waters, it is an area where the Israeli navy has in the past stopped other boats attempting to break its blockade, and which the flotilla has been warned not to cross.
Several Irish citizens were on board vessels which the Israeli navy intercepted on the way to the Palestinian territory on Wednesday night.
Organisers said not all vessels were intercepted in the initial response and at least one had proceeded towards Gaza.
Sinn Féin senator Chris Andrews was among those detained after the boat he was on was boarded.
Mr Andrews had been on board a boat called the Spectre, which was intercepted by Israeli forces off the coast of Egypt.
Several activists posted videos on social media in which they said Israeli naval vessels were approaching the flotilla and ordering them to turn their engines off.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was receiving ongoing briefings on the matter, adding that those on the flotilla posed no danger to anybody.
Speaking to reporters in Copenhagen, he said it was important that those on board were treated properly.
“It’s a humanitarian mission, no threat to anybody other than to highlight and also to bring humanitarian aid into the people of Gaza.
“And it underlines the absolute imperative of getting humanitarian aid into Gaza as quickly as possible under the auspices of the United Nations and the Red Crescent, as outlined in the peace proposals that emanated from the United States in consultation with the Arab states.”
Asked if it was a breach of international maritime law, Mr Martin replied: “If it happened in international waters, yes.”
Mr Martin said the Department of Foreign Affairs had consistently advised against people visiting the area “because of the obvious dangers”.
He added: “I think the the paramount consideration has to be the safety of all those on the flotilla.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris convened a meeting of senior officials on Thursday morning to discuss the “evolving situation with Global Sumud Flotilla overnight”.
He was also due to speak with Ireland’s ambassador to Israel about the matter on Thursday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the overriding concern remains the welfare of those on board, including Irish citizens.
It said the latest understanding is that passengers will be transferred to an Israeli port for processing and that Ireland’s embassy on the ground will liaise with local authorities and provide consular assistance.
“This is a peaceful mission to shine a light on a horrific humanitarian catastrophe. Ireland expects international law to be upheld and all those on board the flotilla to be treated in strict accordance with it,” Mr Harris said.
He has also reiterated his broader call for progress on the peace efforts to stop the killings in Gaza, stop the famine and release the hostages.
