Martin calls on Israel to release Irish citizens 'immediately'

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, has reiterated his call for the "immediate and unconditional release" of the Irish citizens detained following yesterday’s storming by Israeli forces of the humanitarian flotilla sailing to Gaza.

Mr Martin said: I met the Israeli Ambassador last evening and made clear that the Irish Government expects the immediate and unconditional release of all the Irish citizens detained. The seven individuals concerned did not enter Israel illegally; rather they were essentially seized from international waters, taken into Israel and asked to sign documents confirming that they entered illegally. This is simply not acceptable.”