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Rugby stars add weight to Ireland’s Gaza aid flotilla efforts

The athletes give their backing to the Freedom Flotilla campaign

KARLA RODRIGUEZ,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Friday, June 17, 2011, 7:57 AM

Updated Friday, June 17, 2011, 11:56 AM

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Rugby star Gordon D'Arcy

Four Rugby stars have jumped on board for the “Second Freedom Flotilla” campaign, which is in support of the second attempt to break the Gaza naval blockade in Israel.

Gordon Darcy, Eoin Reddan, Trevor Hogan and John Fogarty have posted a video on YouTube expressing their support for an aid flotilla trying to access land and sea in Gaza.

This is the second attempt by an Irish ship to do so. The first Freedom Flotilla was attacked by Israel marines in international waters that left nine human rights activists dead. The Irish ship to Gaza website says that it was believed to be an effort by Israel to intimidate international activists trying to break the siege.

This has in no way affected the efforts of activists. The Irish ship, as well as other ships representing other countries, is preparing to embark on the flotilla by next week.

Irish ship to run Gaza blockade, bring food to Palestinians
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Former Leinster player Hogan will be on the ship; he was the one that convinced his teammates to give their sponsorship to the campaign.

"It was something that I have always had a big interest in. I’m delighted to be lucky enough to be invited on board the ship. The lads would have known my views on Gaza," he said.

The video features the Irish stars, along with the phrase ‘Stay Human’–a phrase originally by Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni. According to Hogan, the upcoming voyage “was no guarantee of safety,” but it was not violating any laws.

Dr. Fintan Lane, the ship coordinator, said that the participation of stars like Darcy was a positive sign. “The fact that so many prominent people in Irish society support the flotilla is indicative of huge support in Ireland for the Palestinian people in Gaza.”

A recent article by Reuters reported that a source had revealed that Israel will do everything necessary to prevent the planned international flotilla from reaching Gaza regardless of cargo.

"No ship will get into Gaza," the source said, adding that the military had come up with new strategies to avoid last year's massacre.

The message the Irish stars are trying to send out is one of humanity and peace, as they embark on a journey to dangerous territories that has already taken lives and displays an act of courage from all the activists.

Nster.com

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TiocfaidhArmani | Jun 20, 2011, 05:23 AM EDT

Gaza isn't Israel's borders, rugby player. They've decided, like the Nazi's they are to collectively punish 1.5 million people, just as they have done since 1948 when they forcefully deposed of 800,000 Palestinian villagers from their homes to create a Jewish state. They're fascists.

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seanomelbourne | Jun 18, 2011, 08:45 PM EDT

Tom Pickering and Rob Malley from the state dept. have had low level talks with Mahmud Zahar the Hamas foreign minister. Rachel schneller was permitted to take part in a discussion with Osama Hamdan a Hamas spokesperson .Schenneller had tea with Hamdan after the talks.America is talking to Hamas as they are also talking to the Taliban. America therefore must be giving some level of recognition to Hamas.Hamas is fighting for the right of Palestinians to have their ownn state which most countries agree with.Nytreader Palestinians recieve millions of dollars from arab and western nations.

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CaptainCon | Jun 18, 2011, 05:49 PM EDT

Well done to the Irish players for speaking out when they could have just passed this by with their heads down. Thank you gentlemen.

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citizen69 | Jun 18, 2011, 07:44 AM EDT

@georgedillon: Hamas fires rockets into Israel on a regular basis and the ordinary Palestinians suffer as a result. They also are aggressive to many Palestinians and a lot of ordinary citizens fear Hamas; they do little for the betterment of their people. I have experienced this kind of violent party in Northern Ireland. Thanks to Sinn Fein/IRA a United Ireland is further away than ever. SF/ira alienate the very people they need to bring onboard. Oh and if you read my comment again you'll see i was giving an opinion... my thoughts! I wasn't telling anybody what to do.... Idiot!

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nytreader | Jun 17, 2011, 11:26 PM EDT

Wouldn't it be interesting to see one day a Muslim country helping the Palestinians. They don't want anything to do with the Palestinians. Hamas doesn't recognize Israel as a nation...but the world should recognize Hamas as the leaders of the Palestinian people. Stop drinking the Kool Aid Ireland. You're starting to show your ignorance again.

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seanomelbourne | Jun 17, 2011, 07:33 PM EDT

the terrorist state of Israel starving palestinian children.More aid for Palestine.Economic sanctions for Israel.

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cillowen | Jun 17, 2011, 02:24 PM EDT

someone needs confront the cancer that is to be our downfall.

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GeorgeDillon | Jun 17, 2011, 12:56 PM EDT

citizen69: " I think Palestinians should vote out Hamas, go the peaceful path". They've been going the peaceful path for decades. The problem is that the Israelis like to kill them--they've killed thousands of Palestinians over the years. Who the hell are you to tell people who to vote for in a foreign country? Cheeky fool.

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GeorgeDillon | Jun 17, 2011, 12:55 PM EDT

Idiotic post, johnnyb. Don't you ever even watch the TV News? Israel has been gassing Palestinians for decades now--the last gassing was just last week. Of ocurse Israel prefers to shoot Palestinians--they've shot dead about 40 in the past month. Wake up and buy a newspaper before you show your ignorance.

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citizen69 | Jun 17, 2011, 10:39 AM EDT

Although i believe the Palestinian people are being unfairly treated by Israel and are being kept in poverty i dont particularly see this voyage as a message of "Peace", but more as an act of confrontation. They know they are going to be stopped. I think Palestinians should vote out Hamas, go the peaceful path and take the moral high ground. They deserve their own homeland.

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avfrombeslfast | Jun 17, 2011, 10:11 AM EDT

This is the Iranian missiles for Gaza flotilla. The Red Cross said in April: "Gaza Strip is not suffering from a humanitarian crisis". So long as Hamas is at war with Israel Israel has every right to check ships heading for Gaza.

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johhnyb | Jun 17, 2011, 10:06 AM EDT

Interesting point about the Israelis gassing civilians George. Are you sure you haven't got that all the wrong way round? (Ref: World War 2)

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rugbyplayer | Jun 17, 2011, 09:52 AM EDT

Big mistake! Israel has the right to secure its borders from hostile intrusions even if the intuders include Irish rugby players.

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GeorgeDillon | Jun 17, 2011, 09:44 AM EDT

The aid ships are not going to Israel, you clown butlerrport, they won't even enter Israeli waters. They're headed for Gaza. Don't you even know the difference?

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butlerreport | Jun 17, 2011, 09:22 AM EDT

Why don't you fly to Cairo and cross the border to Gaza with Egypt? The Middle East is ablaze and you pick on the one country - Israel - that lives in a peaceful democracy. Oh yes, hatred of Jews is alive and well in Ireland. Did you know that a new water park opened in Gaza this week for children?

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