Jubilation and relief, and some sadness at not reaching the people of Gaza, were the main emotions among Irish activists who arrived into Dublin Airport on Saturday after spending time in Israeli detention.
Scores of family members and supporters held Palestinian and Irish flags, and sang and chanted pro-Palestine slogans, in Terminal 1’s arrivals hall for more than 40 minutes as they awaited the returning activists.
Twelve of the 14 Irish citizens detained when the Israeli navy intercepted vessels participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters on Monday were on the flight from Istanbul, which landed just before 1pm. Two live in other countries. They were among more than 430 people deported from Israel to Turkey on Thursday.
The 12 – some with bruises and all looking exhausted – emerged draped in keffiyeh scarves to screams, tears, cheers and a phalanx of media at about 1.40pm.
READ MORE
Mikey Cullen, from Dublin, said he was “really happy” to see his family and friends. It was “overwhelming” to be home, he said.
“It is sad we didn’t make it to Gaza but we will continue the struggle.”
Cullen said the activists “were brutalised and tortured” by Israeli forces during their detention. He said he had never witnessed such “suffering” as he did during that time.
“Nor have I witnessed people enjoy and relish inflicting such suffering on other humans as I seen with the Israelis ... It will probably take a few weeks and few months to comprehend what happened.”
The treatment of the flotilla participants by police officers, under the direction of Israel’s minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, drew an international outcry and a rebuke from Israel’s prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu.
Israel’s prison service on Friday denied allegations that some of the activists were subjected to abuse, including sexual assaults.
“All prisoners and detainees are held in accordance with the law, with full regard for their basic rights and under the supervision of professional and trained prison staff,” it said.
Israel has for almost two decades imposed a complete blockade on the movement of goods and people in and out of the Gaza Strip, which it says is to prevent weapons smuggling and to exert economic pressure on Hamas. The flotilla aimed to break the “illegal blockade” and to establish a route to deliver food, medicines and other supplies.
Despite the negatives, Cullen said he would do it all again.
“Whether it’s a maritime flotilla or other actions we need to escalate the struggle.”
Tom Deasy, from Clonakilty, Co Cork, who had a black eye that he said was caused by an Israeli soldier’s knee, read a statement on behalf of the Irish activists.
“We sailed with the plan to bring humanitarian aid to a starving nation caused by the illegal blockade by Israel. Unfortunately, we were met by force – more force than we ever imagined,” he said.
“We were kidnapped and taken to a prison ship, split in groups and the next few days were some of the most horrific times I could have ever imagined.
“I can’t imagine what it would be like to be a Palestinian living under a regime that could do such things.”
Helena Kearns, from Northern Ireland, was critical of the Dáil’s rejection on Wednesday night, by 77 votes to 62, of a Bill to impose sanctions on Israel while she and others were being held.
“Everybody needs to get on to their TDs and MLAs and put pressure that it ends now ... Everyone is letting Israel do this,” said Kearns.
Margaret Connolly, a medical doctor and sister of President Catherine Connolly, described her sense of helplessness at not being able to aid her wounded and injured comrades.
“All we could do was wrap our bodies around freezing cold men and women ... We were using our bodies to stop people dying from hypothermia.”
She said bread rolls “thrown” at them were used to cushion injured necks and hips, while wounds were bound with plastic.
“They wanted us to suffer,” said Connolly. “A lot of the soldiers had American accents shouting down at us.
“I promised my children I would come back safe. I kept looking at the ground. Love kept me going – love of my family, love of my comrades.”
Luke McMenamin was relieved but felt “guilt” at “leaving behind more than 9,000 Palestinian brothers and sisters, including 400 children”, in Israeli prisons.
“I at least knew, or hoped, I would get out,” he said.
[ Israeli far-right minister’s Gaza flotilla abuses likely to be a vote-winnerOpens in new window ]
His father, Connell, was “delighted and very emotional” to have him home.
“What he wanted to do was the for the good of his fellow man. They were doing it from a sense of love for people who have so little,” he said.
“I am unbelievably proud ... Everyone in the country should be so proud of these people.”
