Flotilla activist accuses Israel of piracy

An Irish activist seized by Israeli authorities in a commando operation on an aid flotilla tonight accused armed forces of carrying out an act of piracy.

Shane Dillon touched down at Dublin Airport still in the green T-shirt and torn combats he wore when captured after his vessel was boarded by soldiers in international waters.

The defiant 36-year-old described how the aid ship was attacked and activists brutally beaten down.

“I wouldn’t call them soldiers, they are terrorists,” he said. “They attacked us in international waters.

“That was a pure act of piracy in international waters on a peace fleet.”

Dillon, who was first mate on the Challenger 1, told how Israeli forced approached the flotilla in unlit vessels and attacked with stun grenades from the sea before lowering troops down by helicopter.

“We didn’t expect it to be so severe and a severe loss of life. That was just ridiculous, it’s very sad,” he continued.

“My heart goes out to the brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers and the families of those who died.”

The defiant seaman – who wants the aid flotilla to continue – also had a message for the Israeli government.

“Cop on, grow up, it’s about time you let people be treated well and treated properly and stop this stupid siege and blockade on a nation of people,” he said.