Irish Activists Deported from Israel Return Home
Eleven Irish citizens who were aboard the flotilla delivering aid to Gaza have arrived at Dublin Airport after being deported by Israeli authorities.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) was intercepted on Monday by Israeli naval forces, and the activists were detained by soldiers.
The Irish activists were initially sent to Turkey on Friday before being flown back to Ireland.
In total, 14 Irish nationals were among hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists detained in Israel during the operation.
On Saturday, over 400 supporters gathered to welcome the activists upon their arrival from Istanbul at Dublin Airport.
Among the returning activists was Thomas Deasy from Belfast.
"We knew there was a good chance we would be detained but the force used against us was more than we ever, ever imagined," Deasy told RTÉ News.
International Reaction to Israeli Treatment of Activists
The incident sparked international criticism following a video posted by Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The footage showed him taunting activists who were kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs.
In response, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin issued a statement on his X account expressing his condemnation.
"I am appalled at the shocking behaviour of Ben-Gvir," Martin said.
After a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday, Martin noted widespread anger across the European Union regarding the video.
"There is a lot of anger across the EU. The video has shocked the world and accelerated the mood at EU level for action against Israel," he stated.
Ben-Gvir's conduct also drew rare criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who remarked that such actions were "not in line with Israel's values."
Details on Deportations and Official Statements
Among the Irish citizens deported was Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly.
A spokesman for Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:
"All foreign activists from the PR flotilla have been deported from Israel. Israel will not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza."
The Global Sumud Flotilla consisted of more than 50 boats that set sail from Turkey carrying a symbolic amount of aid. A total of 430 activists from over 40 countries participated.
Israel dismissed the flotilla's mission as a "PR stunt at the service of Hamas."
On Monday morning, Israeli naval commandos armed and deployed from warships began intercepting the fleet in international waters west of Cyprus, approximately 250 nautical miles (460 km) from the Gaza coast, which remains under an Israeli maritime blockade.
Concerns Over Detentions and Escalation of Violence
Clare Azzougarh spoke to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme regarding her father, Malcolm Ducker, a British citizen in his early 70s who was detained during the flotilla interception. She reported having no further information on his status.
"We know they've been taken to Ketziot prison but otherwise we're completely in the dark," Azzougarh said.
She added that her father, a retired RAF pilot, had been part of a flotilla intercepted in October, but described this year's arrests as "indeed an escalation of extreme violence."
