79 Irish parliamentarians have signed a statement condemning Israel’s ongoing blockade of the Gaza strip and supporting a large humanitarian sailing ship, the SV Estelle, that is now on its way from Europe to the port of Gaza.
Northern Irish Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has also signed his name to the statement that expresses unambiguous support for the non-violent Gaza flotilla movement.
Those who have signed their support to Gaza span both Northern and the Republic of Ireland, as well as an array of political parties. TDs, MEPs, senators, MLAs and MPs have signed, as well as many independents.
The list includes members of the Labour Party (such as Nessa Childers MEP and Ciaran Lynch TD), Sinn Fein (such as Conor Murphy MP and Gerry Adams TD), Fianna Fail (such as Senators Darragh O’Brien and Jim Walsh), SDLP (such as Mark Durkan MP and Conall McDevitt MLA), Fine Gael (James Bannon TD) and United Left Alliance (such as Paul Murphy MEP and Joan Collins TD).
The ship, Estelle, aims to break through Israel’s illegal maritime blockade. A tall ship built in the 1920s, the Estelle sailed from Sweden several weeks ago, before stopping twice along the coast of Spain. It is now in Corsica and will head for Italy soon, before sailing directly for the port of Gaza.
It is expected to reach Gaza in early to mid October. On board the aid ship are reconstruction materials and other humanitarian goods that are banned or heavily restricted by Israel.
An Irish ship, the MV Saoirse, attempted to reach Gaza in November 2011, but 60 miles from its destination was surrounded in international waters by up to 20 Israeli naval vessels and forcibly seized. Fourteen Irish citizens were on board the Saoirse at the time.
Fintan Lane, a spokesperson for Gaza Action Ireland, said: “Gaza Action Ireland would like to sincerely thank all the politicians who signed this letter. It is an important statement in that political figures from across the island of Ireland have united to say that enough is enough and the blockade of Gaza must end now.
“It is also a recognition that, unfortunately, little has changed since Gaza became a huge international issue – the Israeli blockade has been condemned by many governments, and deemed illegal by the UN, but nothing concrete has been done to end the suffering. Men, women and children continue to subsist in the largest open-air prison in the world.”
Fintan continued, “This statement is an expression of human empathy with the people of Gaza and a declaration to Israel that the Palestinian people will not be forgotten. Palestinians and Israelis are equally entitled to have their political and human rights respected. What Israel is doing to Gaza is indefensible and must end now.”
The politicians’ signatures were collected by Gaza Action Ireland, which was formed in July 2012 as a successor to the Irish Ship to Gaza organization, which was behind the MV Saoirse, the Irish ship that participated in Freedom Flotilla 2 in June 2011, and later in the Freedom Waves to Gaza flotilla in November last year.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.seanomelb | Sep 27, 2012, 07:20 PM EDT
It would be a pleasure Bishop Sean!!
BishopSean | Sep 27, 2012, 02:50 PM EDT
Hi, Seán Og. My next time over there, we´ll have to sit together over a glass like two Irish poets and straighten out this world together. Slán.
Ivanhoe | Sep 27, 2012, 03:04 AM EDT
Seanomelb, what torture? Which 8 000 hostages held by zionists? What is this new delirium about? Too many years without bloodshed in Irland? Do you miss it that much?
seanomelb | Sep 27, 2012, 12:26 AM EDT
They didn't fire their rockets accurately enough Good old BishopSean it's always someone else's fault. BTW Bishop inform us of the 8000 hostages(men,women and children) held by your Zionist mates and the torture they have to bear. You sound like a bishop of the anti-Christ church.
BishopSean | Sep 26, 2012, 10:25 AM EDT
Dear EphraimKibby, I would argue that main reason peace in Middle East is illusive is Islam, not Israel. Islam holds that nations or persons are either of the House of Islam (Peace, submission) or of the House of harb (War). If a person or nation leaves house of Islam, e.g. Spain, Southern France, Southern Italy, Austria, etc., they have apostatized back to house of War. Islam is no less committed to world dominion than was communism. Israel is a flashpoint only. Israel’s disappearance would only embolden supporters of worldwide Islam to hasten conquest of the rest of the House of War.
Ivanhoe | Sep 26, 2012, 09:10 AM EDT
You, Irish, haven't heard of the war going on in Syria? 30 000 dead officially (NGOs'). More probably around 55 000 in reality, but no Irish ship sailing to Syria! Gaza: 1 300 dead in 2008, among them 870 Islamic murderers of the militia, after they had fired (unprovoked) 8 000 rockets at totally innocent Israel civilians during 10 years. I find you disgusting, (very) basic non-cleanable anti-Semites. You also claim the existence of a blockade in Gaza? Do you really ignore that there exist a common border between Gaza and the Islamic new Egypt of Morsi, 14km wide? An open sky jail with a 14km door? Supporting such an enterprise means supporting the Islamic regime (Hamas), is simply monstrous and cannot be explained by any logical reasoning. Nor thus excused. For Hamas has almost annihilated the Christian community of Gaza. Forbidden alcohol. Is excising women. Still firing rockets at innocent villagers. Burning opponents alive or beheading them in downtown Gaza-city. These are your friends, these are your cause. But it is just basic hatred. Of Jews. And of yourselves & your civilization. Stephane Juffa Israeli journalist
irwinpenny18 | Sep 26, 2012, 06:43 AM EDT
Israel should blow this ship up to smithereens--let's get rid of those Irish leftist antisemites who are onboard.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 26, 2012, 01:08 AM EDT
Colin Powell told Mitt Romney (according to Mitt) that he saw a path to peace in the middle east. Mitt wasn't interested (there is a lot of money being made off of the conflict by American investers by building on the occupied lands in defiance of the Camp David Accords) but I wish the Secretary would explain that path to the people who do care about peace.
seanomelb | Sep 25, 2012, 07:56 PM EDT
Sinn Fein received massive support from all four provinces in Ireland. It's pathetic to read the Zionist's "moral" support for the Israeli terrorist state. Only a handful of countries give recognition to the Israeli occupation of the west bank.
ancavker | Sep 25, 2012, 01:10 PM EDT
Ironic when the north was raging with violence, most people in the south could care less. And many considered the innoencts caught up in the violence garbage. Fast forward, and here the Irish are supporting the Palestinians. As my AUnt always says, ah now, don't you know by now the Irish are an odd bunch indeed.
SeanO | Sep 25, 2012, 12:45 PM EDT
Irish neutral citizens should stay out of the up coming Arab Persian Attack on Israel. You could use the ship to take Palestinians to ther homeland created out of the Palestinian
maryosullivan | Sep 25, 2012, 10:53 AM EDT
Irishamerica 46 "anti-semitism" ??, that old dog barked his last long ago Surely, you know Palestinians are Semites, so how does wanting justice for them make one an anti-semite?
cillowen | Sep 25, 2012, 12:25 AM EDT
they keep with that anti shiite its the way they manage their cattle. How easy it that - their shame and blame game when they are the cancer that keeps on giving within every land foolish enough ...- which sadly, is close to being nigh all. Ireland's poodle looker of an isle has its head firmly held within the occupiers claws The same tyrant that fixed things for Palestinians to live in prisons for the rest of their days. Most Excellent Order of British Empire - it would be too marvelous for words to secure their blood drenched medals.puKE.
TayandCake | Sep 24, 2012, 10:43 PM EDT
cillowen is that ture,HAHA, I heard something before that a DUP minister up North believes he descends directly from one of the lost tribes of Israel, and hes also a weirdo creationist. Who votes for these loony house escapees??
Smyrnian | Sep 24, 2012, 10:40 PM EDT
Oz - 8 children were killed by the terrorists on 9/11. While you were clearly firmly resident in the land of Oz on that day, I was there. You are still apparently still well entrenched in the land of Oz denying the facts for whatever agenda you are espousing. One of those 8 children, a little girl, was on a plane from Boston that hit the WTC that day. There are none so blind as those who will not see, Get a grip and get your facts right.
Cherball | Sep 24, 2012, 09:57 PM EDT
Why are you supporting Muslims the what to kill you and your Irish decedents. Please, are there any Cherbhail's left in Eirn.
IrishmanOz | Sep 24, 2012, 09:27 PM EDT
BishopSean: Nobody is blockading Israel and Israel didn't "become independent again" you simpleton. read a history book or have someone read it to you! Smyrnian: Millions of people the world over danced in the streets, why? By the way no children died in the World trade Centre attack! Get your facts somewhere other than U.S. media. Gornisht: It's Davy Jones locker you moron! get an education. IsaacG: Your Zionist expansion plans are well know. Everybody knows what's happening in the West bank and the Gaza strip not to mention the Golan Heights. Israel remains an occupying Power in respect of Gaza. Zionist arguments that Israel ceased its occupation of Gaza in 2005 following the evacuation of its settlements and the withdrawal of its troops is a lie. It takes no account of the fact that Israel retains effective control over Gaza by means of its control over Gaza’s external borders, airspace, territorial waters, population registry, tax revenues and governmental functions. The effectiveness of this control is emphasized by regular military incursions and rocket attacks.
BishopSean | Sep 24, 2012, 08:44 PM EDT
Many "Palestinians" forcibly left their homes when Israel became independent again. Many others left in response to demands by heads of surrounding Arab states, who never let them inegrate. In all, there were about 500,000. Terrible. But what about the 850,000 Jews who were kicked out of Arab states at that same time? Why the one-sided narrative?
Rebelforce | Sep 24, 2012, 07:23 PM EDT
Oh, so that's why we had minister Shatter bringing up the Holocaust (67 years later) and having the chutzpah to condemn the Irish people for their alleged "anti-semitism". I was wondering what that was all about. The whole thing was obviously a way to discredit the strong Irish criticism of Israel's persecution of the Palestinians living in the occupied territories.
cillowen | Sep 24, 2012, 07:05 PM EDT
DUPs see themselves as Israeli's who returned to the Ireland that they once left. Good job they were not from every land on our planet otherwise the real natives of Ireland would be forced to survive on Rockall or Tory Island. Topping off the madness the big goy Kihuna spends billions years after years to protects g-d's ain. Kihuna provides the same for Mother England, her Gitmo (NI) and shores up her Empire still at every turn. Those Special Relationships at work. Who knew?
seanomelb | Sep 24, 2012, 06:23 PM EDT
No DUP members on the list!!figures.. I see the venomous supporters of the Israeli terrorist state are at it again. What a mindless lot!!!
Smyrnian | Sep 24, 2012, 06:09 PM EDT
Lets see; these are the same Palestinians that danced in the streets when the 3,000 innocent men, women and children died on Sept. 11th. The same ones that commit terrorist acts and align themselves with the worst of the world's terrorists. Just for the record, Jordan presently occupies most of what was the artificially designed British Palestinian state. Look to Jordan, Palestinians.
Pittsburghkid | Sep 24, 2012, 06:09 PM EDT
Wait until the Muslims take over Ireland.
gornisht | Sep 24, 2012, 05:17 PM EDT
May this ship, and it's loser occupants, including some good Irish whiskey,go down to Davey John's locker!
irishamerica46 | Sep 24, 2012, 05:07 PM EDT
Anti-semitism is alive and well in Ireland!
Tooreenagrena | Sep 24, 2012, 04:52 PM EDT
Americans. Wake up. You are supporting the terrorising of a whole community by a state you have armed to the teeth. Why do you think these people vote for Hamas. Do you not realise that 3/4 of these people are the families that israelis forced from their homes. Israel now illegally occupies their land. What would you do?
RedBranch | Sep 24, 2012, 03:29 PM EDT
A good number of the above signatories have second homes, or at least spare bedrooms. Perhaps now is the time to open their doors as they have opened their pens and invite those poor Palestanians into them....
bogsidebunny | Sep 24, 2012, 11:09 AM EDT
I hope the Israelis have good hunting........BOOM, BLUB-BLUB!
IsaacG | Sep 24, 2012, 10:40 AM EDT
Will the crew of the Estelle visit the towns and cities battered by thousands of Hamas and other jihadi terrorist rockets and mortars? Show solidarity to the traumatized Israeli civilians in Sderot, Ashkelon, Be'er Sheva? WIll these Irish MPs sign letters of solidarity with the Israeli victims of Palestinian terror? Do the Irish MPs realize that the Gaza is bordered on two sides by Israel, and one side by Egypt, and that Egypt also regulates what goes in and out of Gaza? Or is only Israel to blame, for everything? Bloody hypocrites.
Ray1Gordon | Sep 24, 2012, 09:55 AM EDT
I applaud all those who work to end Israel's strangulation blockade on the civilian population of Gaza. Israel is in violation of international law by imposing collective punishment on the Palestinians. The Vatican has accused Israel of turning Gaza into a giant prison camp.Even Israel has admitted that the blockade is not for security, but ,rather, as economic warfare against the civilian population. Ray Gordon Venice, Fl.