Irish flotilla participants taken by Israeli authorities released

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

Seven Irish activists taken during Israel’s interception of a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza have been released to Greece, its organisers say.

A spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla said 22 of its boats were attacked by Israeli authorities in international waters off the coast of the Greek island of Crete.

They said around 175 participants were taken on Wednesday night, most of whom have now been released.

Speaking during a press conference on Friday, a spokesperson for the group, Hazami Barmada, said some were injured by rubber bullets

“One participant was unconscious for at least 10 minutes, and another sustained neck injuries from this,” she said.

She said 34 of the people who were taken are being treated in hospital, the nationalities of 31 of those have been identified and none of those is Irish.

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.”

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 caused 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 who were held.