Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has slammed Israel for intercepting a ship of humanitarian supplies from travelling to Gaza.
The Dublin MEP said:
“The aid ship Madleen was stopped and boarded by the Israeli Navy while carrying vital supplies for the people of Gaza.
“The crew were intercepted in international waters – where the Israeli Government does not have jurisdiction – and are being held by Israel.
“This is utterly unacceptable. I send my solidarity to all aboard, including my Left Group colleague Rima Hassan MEP, who are doing what the international community will not – standing up for human rights and international law in the face of genocidal acts of violence.
“The crew should be released immediately and allowed to finish their humanitarian mission, and the Israeli Government must end their illegal blockade and siege of Gaza.
“It’s clear that Israel has weaponised starvation and deprivation in their campaign of genocide. They must be held accountable for this.
“Since coming under increased international pressure for their despicable actions, Israel has lashed out violently.
“They have deliberately fired near EU diplomats, attacked UN peacekeepers and launched a drone strike on a humanitarian aid ship in international waters.
“These are the actions of a rogue state and they must be held accountable.
“The EU must permanently suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement and impose the most severe sanctions on Israel, and demand a permanent ceasefire to allow vital humanitarian aid to flow to the people of Gaza.
“All nations have a responsibility to ensure that food is not weaponised and that children are not allowed to be starved and murdered by a genocidal state. Until Israel is held to account, all nations are failing in their responsibility to uphold international law.”
