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Irish human rights activists vow to prevent Israeli forces boarding their aid ship

From Irish Ship to Gaza

By Sarah Stack

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

HUMAN rights activists trying to break the Gaza blockade have vowed to stop Israeli forces from boarding their ship.

Dr Fintan Lane, co-ordinator of Irish Ship to Gaza, said crews in the second aid flotilla will make it difficult for officials to seize control of vessels, including the Irish-owned MV Saoirse.

Nine people were killed last year when Israeli commandos stormed the MV Marmara, a Turkish aid ship trying to break the naval blockade.

“If they attempt to board the ship, we will non-violently impede their progress,” said Dr Lane. “We will not facilitate their boarding party.

“We will not lay hands on them, we will not use physical measures against them. But we will lock down the ship and make it difficult to seize control.”

At least 20 Irish citizens, including former rugby international Trevor Hogan, are taking part in Freedom Flotilla II.

About a dozen aid ships bearing medical supplies, sports equipment and construction materials are due to meet in international waters some 16 hours from Gaza early next week.

Crew include skipper Shane Dillion, artist Felim Egan, former politician Chris Andrew and MEP Paul Murphy.

Almost €130,000 has been raised in Ireland to fund the humanitarian mission.

Hogan, who recently retired from rugby, said he was focused on getting to Gaza but had to be prepared for any eventuality.

“Anything we face is a fraction of what the Palestinians face on a daily basis and that gives me strength,” he added.

Dr Lane said threats by Israel to attack ships with snipers should be condemned by governments, including Ireland.

The Irish Anti-War Movement has also written an open letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore, demanding he publicly call on Israel to allow free passage of the Irish ship to Gaza.

Dr Lane said: “They are talking about engaging in a violent attack on human rights activists and it’s not good enough for people to say its too dangerous to go, because people in Gaza suffer this violence on an ongoing basis.”

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, June 21, 2011

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