[A-List] The Taoiseach has said there will be 'serious consequences' if any harm comes to the Irish citizens being detained in Israel for their part in the Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

[james daly]

Tuesday, 1 June 2010 20:46

The Taoiseach has said there will be 'serious consequences' if any harm 
comes to the Irish citizens being detained in Israel for their part in the 
Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

UN criticises attack on flotilla

Speaking in the Dáil, Brian Cowen said the Government is calling for the 
immediate and unconditional release of the Irish citizens.

Two Irish citizens are to be deported after Israeli commandos stormed a ship 
carrying aid supplies to Gaza. At least nine people died in the operation.

Shane Dillon is to be flown home via Frankfurt on a Lufthansa flight. It is 
not yet confirmed whether the second Irish citizen, Isam Ben Ali, will be on 
the same flight.

At least five other Irish citizens, including Fintan Lane and Fiachra 
O'Luain, are still being detained in the southern Israeli city of Be'er 
Sheba.

It was reported earlier that an Irish citizen has left the country 
voluntarily.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has said that Irish Ambassador 
to Israel Breifne O'Reilly has visited the detained Irish citizens.


The Government earlier called on Israel to allow the Irish-owned vessel MV 
Rachel Corrie to complete its humanitarian voyage to Gaza peacefully.

The decision was taken following a briefing by Minister Martin.

The Government said the vessel should not be impeded on its journey and 
should be allowed to discharge its humanitarian cargo in Gaza. It is 
currently north of the coast of Libya.

Denis Halliday, a former UN Assistant General Secretary who is on board the 
Rachel Corrie, said it was up to the US to put pressure on Israel to ensure 
such attacks are not repeated.

It had been reported earlier that Israel's navy is ready to stop the vessel, 
which is expected to reach Gazan waters tomorrow.

An officer told Israel army radio that he expected an easy takeover of the 
ship.


This morning, Mr Martin reiterated his call for the immediate and 
unconditional release of the Irish citizens.

In a statement, Mr Martin said: 'I met the Israeli Ambassador last evening 
and made clear that the Irish Government expects the immediate and 
unconditional release of all the Irish citizens detained.

'The seven individuals concerned did not enter Israel illegally; rather they 
were essentially seized from international waters, taken into Israel and 
asked to sign documents confirming that they entered illegally. This is 
simply not acceptable.'

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny described the Israeli operation as an outrageous 
operation in international waters and said the lives of Irish citizens were 
put in mortal danger.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore asked if the Government had considered 
withdrawing the Irish ambassador in Israel, but Mr Cowen did not directly 
answer the question.


Deputy Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Ruth Zack defended Israel's actions 
under international maritime law.

She also said that the Irish detainees who are contesting their deportation 
should leave Israel voluntarily.


Morning Ireland:
Irish registered MV Rachel Corrie still hopes to reach Gaza with building 
and education supplies


Story from RTÉ News:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0601/mideast.html?RTEMAILID