Irish activists held by Israel

 

Two Irish citizens remain in Israeli custody after a small boat carrying aid for Gaza was seized 24 miles from shore.

Minister for Justice Micheal Martin yesterday called for the immediate release of the two.

Nobel laurest Mairead Maguire (65) and former Irish soldier Derek Graham (40) sailed on a ferry from Cyprus in a bid to break the blockade on the Gaza Strip with a consignment of aid.

The pair were stopped 24 miles from shore and are waiting to be deported.

Mr Martin said officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs have been in contact with Israeli authorities through the embassy in Dublin and the Irish Ambassador in Tel Aviv to secure their release.

“I have been assured by the Israeli authorities that they are both well and are being properly treated,” the minister said.

Consular staff based in Tel Aviv visited Ms Maguire and Mr Graham yesterday after they were brought ashore on board the Greek-flagged The Spirit of Humanity .

Mr Martin said his immediate priority was ensuring their safety and welfare.

“I would again renew my call for the release of Ms Maguire and Mr Graham as well as the other nineteen passengers detained,” he said.

“I would also call upon the Israeli Government to ensure that the humanitarian supplies for the people of Gaza being transported on The Spirit of Humanity are made available as soon as possible to the Palestinian authorities for distribution.”

Mr Martin repeated calls for border crossings and trade links to be reopened.

They were effectively shut down by Israeli authorities after the military offensive in Gaza in December and January.

“I do not need to recall my strong views on the completely unacceptable nature of the blockade now being imposed on the people of Gaza,” he said.

“All border crossings into Gaza should be opened immediately to humanitarian and normal commercial traffic so that the dire humanitarian situation can be adequately addressed and the reconstruction of Gaza begin.

“This is the only effective remedy which we should seek to offer to the long-suffering people of Gaza.”

IPSC Chair Marie Crawley commented: “We welcome Minister Martin’s intervention and the statement in which he described the ongoing situation in Gaza as ‘completely unacceptable’, and his call on Israel to open all border crossings for both humanitarian. and commercial traffic.

In addition, we strongly welcome the call by Senator Terry Leyden to hold a government debate on the issue of Gaza.

www.irishtimes.com

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