By IRNA,
London : Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin expressed “grave concern” Monday following Israel’s massacre of up to 15 passengers on board the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters.
“The reports of up to 15 people killed and 50 injured, if confirmed, would constitute a totally unacceptable response by the Israeli military to what was a humanitarian mission attempting to deliver much needed supplies to the people of Gaza,” Martin said.
Eight Irish people were travelling among some 700 passengers aboard the seven-ship flotilla and in one of the first reactions from a European government, the minister said consular officials were working to confirm the safety of the civilians.
“I am gravely concerned at the reports emerging of the storming of a Turkish ship this morning by Israeli commandos. My department is seeking to establish the full facts of what has occurred,” he said.
The Irish republican party Sinn Fein went further in saying that “there must be consequences for Israel’s murderous attack on humanitarian aid flotilla.”
“It looks as though this cold and calculated attack took place in international waters, in breach of all international maritime laws. There must be action from the international community,” said Sinn Fein MP Aengus O’Snodaigh, who had hoped to be on board the Free Gaza Flotilla.
“Foreign Affairs Minister Mícheál Martin must summon the Israeli ambassador and expel him from the country. Furthermore, the preferential trade agreement with Israel must be ended,” O’Snodaigh said.
“This was a humanitarian aid mission carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid to the besieged city of Gaza. The blockade of Gaza is illegal under International law,” he said in a statement obtained by IRNA.
Chairman of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) David Landy said he has not been able to contact any of its members on the ships.
“The fact that Israel would allow its forces to kill and wound international human rights activists shows the world once again that Israel is a rogue state that acts with impunity,” Landy said.
The IPSC was planning a protest march to the Israeli Embassy in Dublin on Monday night, with speaking including O’Snodaigh and Fianna Fail MP Chris Andrews, both of whom were refused access to the flotilla by the Cypriot authorities and had to abandon plans to travel with aid workers.