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.”

The UN Security council is demanding the immediate release of ships and civilians seized by Israel in the raid yesterday.

Mr Martin said: "I would note that the UN Security Council, in a presidential statement issued earlier today, has called for the immediate release of all the ships and citizens detained by the Israeli authorities. Israel needs to listen to and act in accordance with the united voice of the international community on this issue.”

They issued the statement following 10 hours of an emergency session overnight.

It condemns the events of yesterday, and calls for a prompt and transparent investigation into the incident which resulted in the deaths of several civilians.

Mr Martin also said he was dissatisfied with the Israeli government’s failure to allow Ireland's Ambassador and Embassy in Tel Aviv have full consular access to the Irish citizens detained.

He said: "This failure to provide such access represents a clear breach of the Vienna Conventions. I have now been informed that our Ambassador and officers from the Embassy in Tel Aviv will be allowed carry out visits to the Irish citizens detained during the course of the day. I will continue to press for full consular access being allowed, as is provided for under international law.

"I will be reporting to the Government later this morning on my meeting yesterday meeting with the Israeli Ambassador and on the measures which my Department is taking to secure the immediate and unconditional release of those Irish citizens detained by Israel."

Meanwhile, an Irish ship that was originally part of an aid flotilla attacked by Israel yesterday is set to approach Gaza today.

The Israeli navy has said this morning that it's ready to stop the MV Rachel Corrie, and expects an easy takeover of the ship.