A Clare Barrister insists that even if participants of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla detained by Israeli forces during an overnight operation are immediately deported, it’s still a violation of their rights.
Ennistymon native Leigh Brosnan, who is a member of Lawyers for Palestine made her comments in the wake of the detention of at least fifteen Irish citizens, including the Head of the Clare Public Participation Network.
It’s feared the second of Clare’s two flotilla participants has also been detained.
Shortly before six o’clock yesterday evening a line of Israeli military vessels were picked up on radar near the Global Sumud Flotilla and in an overnight operation, 21 of the 44 vessels participating have been confirmed to have been intercepted.
Ground crews say they assume many of the others have also been intercepted, as there hasn’t been sufficient communication over the past number of hours.
A live tracker indicates one of the vessels, however, is nearing Gaza.
Clare poet and Head of the Clare Public Participation Network Sarah Clancy, who lived in Ballyvaughan for over a decade is among at least fifteen Irish citizens who have been detained by Israeli forces, as part of the operation.
Fanore woman Maureen Almai is also believed to have been detained, with ground crews now listing the boat she was travelling on as “Presumed Intercepted”.
The Irish embassy in Tel Aviv is providing consular assistance to those detained, and the Taoiseach has insisted that Irish citizens must be treated properly.
Speaking in Copenhagen this morning, Mícheál Martin says they “do not pose a threat to anybody.”
Protests have erupted around the world after Israel’s interception of the aid flotilla, with people taking to the streets in solidarity in Ireland, Italy, Spain, Colombia, Mexico and Argentina.
The British Foreign Office has expressed concern to Israel and asked for assurance the situation would be resolved safely, while Turkey has described the attack as “an act of terror.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has said it was “a new international crime by Benjamin Netanyahu.”
A Clare barrister has criticised the Government for failing to take meaningful action to protect Irish participants, saying the state had the capacity to send a monitoring vessel, due to provisions within the Defence Act 2006 relating to operations serving or monitoring a humanitarian function.
Ennistymon native Leigh Brosnan, who is a member of Lawyers for Palestine was aboard ‘The Shireen’, one of two boats among the 44 solely providing legal assistance, but has since disembarked and is now providing land support.
Leigh has told Clare FM’s Morning Focus, that this isn’t “the beginning or the end of anything,” as more vessels are willing to set sail as part of the movement in the coming weeks and she hopes the reaction by world leaders marks a turning tide internationally.
Listen to the full interview here
