Taoiseach condemns Israeli interception of flotilla

By Cillian Sherlock and Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

The Taoiseach has condemned Israel’s interception of a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza, in which seven Irish activists were detained.

A spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla said some of its boats were rammed and boarded by Israeli authorities in international waters off the coast of the Greek island of Crete.

On Friday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he would be raising the matter within the European Union.

“I want to condemn the seizure of the flotilla in what appears to be international waters – that’s not acceptable,” he said.

“Israel has to abide by international law and the rule of law.”

Most of those intercepted were to be released in Greece.

The Irish citizens who were taken have been named as Catriona Graham, Fiacc O’Brolchain, Robert Murphy, Colm Byrne, Martin Guilfoyle, Michael Fix, and John Connellan.

Martin said Irish consular officials were working to assist those affected, adding: “I don’t have any further update at this particular stage other than that, we obviously want all of them to be healthy and looked after.”

Asked if it was time for the international community to call the action out as piracy, Martin said: “It absolutely is very serious, and I think the international community do have to call it out.

“We will be raising it at European Union level.”

The Taoiseach said Ireland had already called on the EU to suspend its trade association agreement with Israel “because of what has happened in Gaza”.

He said: “But also now in Lebanon, in more recent times, when the disproportionate response to Hezbollah attacks – and Hezbollah should stop – but the disproportionate attacks which have displaced so many people in Lebanon and cause so much death and destruction is also in breach of international humanitarian law.

“And the international community have to call out Israel for this and hold Israel accountable now.”

Martin said there was “a noticeable change” within the international community.

“Traditionally strong supporters of Israel are becoming increasingly annoyed and frustrated, to say the least, in terms of what has transpired.”

President Catherine Connolly’s sister is part of the flotilla, but is not believed to be among the activists being held.