16 Irish citizens from Gaza aid flotilla detained in Israel, Tánaiste confirms

Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has confirmed today, Friday, October 3, that 16 Irish citizens who were a part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) are now in detention in southern Israel.

The Irish citizens were on different GSF vessels that were intercepted by Israeli forces in recent days.

Harris said on Friday morning that, following updates overnight, he convened a meeting of senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the situation of the 16 Irish citizens who were on board the flotilla before its interception.

"Over the past number of weeks, I have repeatedly stated that I understand that the peaceful efforts of those that were on board reflect an understandable desire by many people around the world to urgently address the humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza," the Tánaiste said in a statement on Friday morning.

"I can confirm that, in the last 24 hours, all 16 of our citizens were transferred to a detention facility in southern Israel.

"In this situation, my clear priority is their safety and well-being.

"An Embassy team, including our Ambassador to Israel, is currently at the detention facility, and is providing all possible and appropriate consular assistance, including ensuring access to legal representation and facilitating medical treatment where necessary.

"Dublin-based officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are also in close contact with family members who have requested our support. I understand that this is an exceptionally difficult time for them, and we will continue to update them as we receive more information.

"I am aware of a number of Irish citizens participating in other Flotillas en route to Gaza and have instructed my Department to closely monitor that evolving situation."

The Global Sumud Flotilla describes itself as "the largest civilian maritime mission organized to break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza."

Coordinated by grassroots organizers, seafarers, doctors, artists, and solidarity activists from over 40 countries, the flotilla is a "nonviolent humanitarian mission responding to the ongoing genocide and siege against the Palestinian people."

The group says it is "independent of any government or political party" and is "guided by a commitment to justice, dignity, and the sanctity of human life."

The flotilla launched between August and September, set to converge toward Gaza "to open a humanitarian corridor by sea."

On September 16, Ireland's Tánaiste joined with the Foreign Ministers of 15 other countries to express concern about the security of the Global Sumud Flotilla. 

The statement called on "everyone to refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the Flotilla, to respect international law and international humanitarian law."

The statement added: "We recall that any violation of international law and human rights of the participants in the Flotilla, including attacks against the vessels in international waters or illegal detention, will lead to accountability."

GSF began to announce the interception of its vessels on Wednesday, October 1.

That night, the Tánaiste described the flotilla as "a peaceful mission to shine a light on a horrific humanitarian catastrophe."

On Thursday, the Tánaiste told the Dáil that he had instructed his officials "to contact the non-resident Israeli Ambassador to Ireland [Dana Erlich] to register our strong condemnation of the actions of the Israeli authorities and to highlight our absolute expectation that the welfare of our citizens is protected in line with international law."

Elsewhere on Thursday, pro-Palestinian demonstrators shut down the Dublin Port in solidarity with all those who had been detained from the flotilla. Similar demonstrations were also staged in other Irish cities.

As of Friday, the GSF says that 42 of its vessels had been intercepted and more than 450 people had been detained.

The 16 Irish citizens who had been "illegally intercepted" and the vessels they were aboard have been confirmed by GSF.

They are: Tara O'Grady (Alma), Donna Marie Schwarz (Amsterdam), Catriona Graham (Aurora), Louise Heaney (Dir Yassine (Mali)), Patrick Kelly (Fair Lady), Patrick O'Donovan (Fair Lady), Colm Peter Byrne (Hio), Anthony (Tadgh) Hickey (Meteque), Tara Rose Sheehy (Ohwayla), Mary Almai (Paola I), Caoimhe Triona Butterly (Shireen), Diarmuid Mac Dubhglais (Sirius), Thomas Doherty McCune (Sirius), Christopher Andrews (Spectre), Sarah Catherine Clancy (Spectre), Cormac Kevin O'Daly (Yalara).