Madam, – The fate of the Irish and international human rights workers seized in international waters by Israel is of great concern to their family and friends.
Of no less concern is the fate of their cargo – humanitarian aid to Gaza. In your report on the seizure (“Peace activists’ ferry to Gaza seized by Israeli navy”, July 1st) the Israelis have promised the aid will be delivered to Gaza “after inspection”. This means the aid will not be delivered.
Upon inspection, the aid will be found to contain luxuries (toys for children) and other prohibited materials such as olive trees and cement for Palestinians to rebuild their houses after Israel’s bombing campaign.
It is precisely because Israel prohibits these essentials (as documented in the recent Red Cross report) that the Free Gaza movement was trying to sail them in.
While one cargo of goods won’t rebuild the lives of 1.5 million civilians besieged in Gaza, it will give them some hope. The boat was seized as part of Israel’s ongoing campaign to crush that hope.
I urge our politicians and Government not only to seek the release of the two Irish citizens held prisoner by Israel — Mairead Maguire and Derek Graham – but also to demand their cargo be released to the Gazans who so desperately need it.
A final thought - what would the outcry be if Hamas, rather than Israel attacked a boat in international waters and seized the humanitarian aid and the crew? Would it be called piracy and kidnapping, or simply international terrorism?
DAVID LANDY
St Thomas Road
Dublin 8
Madam, — Having bombarded the Gaza Strip earlier this year to the point where, according to the Red Cross, it resembles the “epicentre of a massive earthquake”, Israel has now seized a vessel in international waters conveying humanitarian aid to the territory. The Israeli navy effectively disabled the boat, The Spirit of Humanity, by rendering its navigation and communication systems inoperative having threatened and shadowed the vessel with up to six warships.
The boat was boarded and the 21 human rights activists on board, two of whom are Irish, taken into custody.
The arrogance and impunity with which Israel controls Gaza’s borders and dictates entry into the territory for humanitarian agencies, human rights groups and diplomatic personnel alike is an outrage.
Amnesty International has declared Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, when 1,400 Palestinians were killed, to be a war crime.
Concerned citizens and activists across the world have felt compelled to assist the people of Gaza in any way possible. For Israel to proactively undermine humanitarian missions with actions comparable to piracy in international waters is a scandal.
When will the Irish Government support a comprehensive set of sanctions against Israel within the European Union until the blockade of Gaza is lifted?
The Red Cross has stated that 80 per cent of Gazans are dependent on food aid. The situation is critical and demands firm and immediate action. – Yours etc,
STEPHEN MCCLOSKEY,
Antrim Road,
Belfast.