“I closely followed updates on the situation of the Irish citizens who were on board the flotilla before its interception, and can confirm that the Irish citizens detained in Israel have been released and have now arrived home.”
All Irish citizens on an aid convoy to Gaza have been released by the Israeli military and are now back home, it’s been confirmed.
A flotilla of 42 boats with 479 people on board, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, was intercepted and detained in early October. A total of 15 Irish people were held.
A letter from Taoiseach Micheál Martin to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council was provided to the chamber and seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service this week confirming all Irish citizens had returned home.
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It reads: “I closely followed updates on the situation of the Irish citizens who were on board the flotilla before its interception, and can confirm that the Irish citizens detained in Israel have been released and have now arrived home.”
The Taoiseach had responded to an email from NMDDC chief executive Marie Ward on behalf of councillors condemning the Israel interception of boats in the Global Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
According to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, there were 16 Irish transfered to a detention facility in southern Israel when the flotilla was intercepted. Irish citizens began to be sent home in small numbers throughout October, with the repatriation now understood to be complete.
However, Michael Fix, the 16th Irish flotilla delegation member, holds a US passport and is part of a separate deportation process.
The letter adds: “This welcome outcome was secured after intensive efforts from across the Irish government, including the embassy team in Tel Aviv, working in conjunction with international partners.
“Over the past number of weeks, the Irish government has reiterated that it understands that the peaceful efforts of those on board reflect an understandable desire by many people around the world to urgently address the humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza.
“Ireland is playing its part and has pledged an additional €6m in humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza to fund urgent food, medical care and other vital services.”
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