3 Irish safe after Israeli assault on Freedom Flotilla – 2 refuse deportation, still in detention

by linker Thu Jun 03, 2010 09:41

9.28 update - Two Irish citizens deported from Israel were injured in scuffles with Israeli security personnel at Tel Aviv airport late last night.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0603/mideast.html

Fiachra O'Luain was treated in hospital in Istanbul for injuries he is understood to have sustained at Ben Gurion Airport in the lead-up to his being deported from Israel.

His injuries are understood not to be serious.
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Mr O'Luain has been visited by officials from the Irish diplomatic service.

The family of Libyan-born Irish citizen Al Mahdi Al Harati say that he called them from Turkish hospital in the early hours of this morning.

It was the first time they had heard from Mr Al Harati since he was detained by the Israeli authorities.

Housam Najjair, his brother-in-law, said that Mr Al Harati is being treated in the intensive care unit of Ankara's Ataturk Hospital, after being beaten about the head and groin while in Israeli custody.

The family, who live in Firhouse in Dublin, expect Mr Al Harati to be discharged from hospital in two or three days.

by linker Thu Jun 03, 2010 08:41

Seized Gaza flotilla activists arrive in Turkey from Israel
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0603/....html

"We've been scared, frightened, kidnapped and attacked with battleships while we were taking aid to needy people in Gaza," said Mustafa Ahmet, a British citizen of Turkish origin.

As activists descended from the planes at Istanbul's Ataturk airport they lifted their arms in defiance, but afterwards some were overcome with emotion and wept.

Several activists suggested the death toll was higher than nine, and accused the Israeli army of hiding bodies and destroying forensic evidence.

"The soldiers shot a doctor who wanted to surrender and they threw dead bodies into the sea. We still don't know what happened to them," said Bulent Yildirim, chairman of the IHH, the Turkish Islamic charity that organised the convoy.

photo of Irish activist Al Mahdi Alharati gestures as he is taken to a hospital in Ankara after arriving in Turkey on a flight from Israel. (times)

Irish activist Al Mahdi Alharati gestures as he is taken to a hospital in Ankara after arriving in Turkey on a flight from Israel. (times)

by linker Thu Jun 03, 2010 08:33

Irish citizen injured in airport scuffle
http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0603/mideast.html

At least one Irish citizen deported from Israel was slightly injured in scuffles with Israeli security personnel at Tel Aviv airport late last night.

Reports are sketchy but it appears trouble broke out as the detainees were about to board a Turkish plane bound for Istanbul.

The flight departed shortly afterwards carrying three of the five Irish passport holders. One other, who has diabetes, was taken out earlier.

The fifth is still in Israel because of problems with his passport.

Four of the five Irish are now in Turkey. Arrangements are being made to get them home, though it is understood one of the dual passport holders wants to fly onto Lebanon.

The planes were also carrying the bodies of nine activists killed when Israeli commandos took control of the six aid vessels.

by hb Tue Jun 01, 2010 17:51

The distinction is because the Muslims will almost certainly be treated different than Non-Muslim 'White' people - it is probably why the racist Israelis felt comfortable attacking the Turkish ship in the first place, they probably reasoned that since most Turks are Muslim massacring the Turkish Muslims would be just fine and dandy and the consequences would not be too onerous compared to massacring a boat load of 'white' westerners

by SS Politician - Whiskey Galore Tue Jun 01, 2010 16:48

The MV Rachel Corrie and 2 other ships are still en route to Gaza to break the siege! Right now as well as supporting those in prison in Israel, we should also be trying to get as much international media and political attention on this so as to increase their chances of success.

by The Observer Tue Jun 01, 2010 16:02

Egypt opens Gaza border

by Damien M Tue Jun 01, 2010 15:52

Ban Ki-moon's hands will be red raw from all the handwringing he will be doing. Brian Cowen and Michael Martin no more give a shit than David Ben-Gurion would if he were alive today. This war crime will pass, much like the massacres of the Burmese and Tibetan protestors we witnessed in previous years.

by cathie Tue Jun 01, 2010 09:56

any word on the Irish Muslim passengers? and why the distinction??

by V for vendetta Tue Jun 01, 2010 02:45

Much respect for your part in this courageous action against the blockade. Wish I had been there too.

by John - Viva Palestina Tue Jun 01, 2010 01:06

Very, very proud of you all.

I watched the whole attack live on TV, and it made me sick.

Your courage is something that you can feel very proud of.

John

by TD - FPC Mon May 31, 2010 20:16

Heartening to read, Fintan and Fiachra have the obdurate courage of their convictions - no point in returning like lambs after the slaughter, they're toughing it out like lions and due respect accordingly.?