Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion have today condemned Israel’s attacks and interception of ships participating in the civilian Global Sumud Flotilla.
Overnight, Israel attacked and intercepted 20 ships and illegally detained 175 people in international waters.
MEP Boylan said:
“Israel has been allowed to repeatedly commit acts of piracy in international waters against civilians attempting to bring humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
“These boats are civilian ships on a humanitarian mission. They are crewed by ordinary people who cannot stay silent as Israel illegally blockades Gaza and as Western governments do nothing to end the siege.
“The blockade and siege of Gaza is illegal, not the attempts by ordinary citizens to stand up for international law and the Palestinian people.
“EU leaders cannot ignore Israel’s illegal actions and must demand an end to the illegal interceptions at sea. Condemnation is not enough, we need suspension of the Association Agreement and sanctions on Israel now.”
MEP Funchion said:
“These raids by Israeli armed forces on civilian boats in international waters attempting to deliver aid to Gaza are further evidence, not that it was needed, that Israel is a rogue state that is acting with impunity due to the inaction of the EU and Western governments.
“I have written to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade calling on her to take immediate action to aid those Irish illegally detained.
“Detention of the crews of these ships is utterly illegal, as is the destruction of these boats’ communication equipment and engines. This cannot be tolerated.
“This week we saw how the EU can exert pressure on Israel when a Russian boat carrying stolen Ukrainian grain was turned away from Israeli ports following EU threats of sanctions. The EU clearly has the power to influence Israel.
“It is long past time to implement sanctions on the rogue Israeli state and protect Palestinians, and those activists attempting to alleviate their suffering, who have been persecuted by the Israeli state illegally and beyond their jurisdiction.”
