At least 14 Irish citizens detained as Israel intercepts aid boats heading for Gaza

This screenshot from a video released by the Global Sumud Flotilla shows Israeli navy soldiers aboard one of the flotilla's vessels after it was intercepted as it approached the coast of Gaza. Picture: Global Sumud Flotilla via AP

The Government “expects” that all 16 Irish citizens travelling on an intercepted flotilla travelling to Gaza have been detained.

Speaking in the Dáil during a special session on the incident overnight in Gaza, Tánaiste Simon Harris said 14 people have been confirmed as detained. It is expected that the remaining two citizens on the flotilla have been too.

Israeli forces intercepted 39 boats carrying aid and foreign activists, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg and Irish senator Chris Andrews, to Gaza.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said Irish authorities are in touch with citizens on the intercepted flotilla to Gaza as he called for them to be treated “properly and appropriately”.

Mr Harris convened a special consular coordination group on Thursday at the Department of Foreign Affairs, including the consular director, the head of crisis planning, the Assistant Secretary General for Citizen Services and the Secretary General.

The coordination group was joined by video link from the Irish ambassador in Tel Aviv, Sonya McGuinness, who updated them on the Irish citizens who have been detained.

“We now have confirmation that at least 14 of our own Irish citizens are among those intercepted and detained by Israel,” the Tánaiste said.

“There may be two other citizens whose presence is still being verified, as I'm here now.

“Our ambassador in Tel Aviv has formally requested consular access to those Irish citizens. I was informed on the call that there are no reports of any injuries currently among our other citizens.

“I also wish to inform the house that my department has now established a dedicated point of contact for the families of those detained and on the flotilla, in addition to the broader contact point for those coordinating the flotilla activity. More generally, our Embassy in Tel Aviv assures me it's well-resourced to support our citizens, and we continue to monitor this.

“Our consular team in Dublin is also supporting our efforts on the ground in Israel. This morning, I've instructed my officials to contact the non-resident Irish ambassador to Israel to register our strong condemnation of the actions of the Israeli authorities and to highlight our absolute expectation that the welfare of our citizens is protected in line with international law.” 

Mr Harris said his “absolute responsibility and priority” is to “ensure the welfare” of Irish citizens.

He said it is likely that all detainees will be transferred to the Ashdod Port for processing and onto a detention facility south of Tel Aviv, where they will have access to medical teams. It is understood that those who have been detained will be given the option to leave immediately or “have a deportation hearing within 72 hours”. However, this could be delayed due to Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

'Swift release'

Mr Harris said the consular team is “working to establish the precise whereabouts of every Irish citizen to ensure their safety and dignity and to secure their swift release” and that the Irish team in Tel Aviv had made it clear that they expect citizens to “be treated fully in line with international law”.

“We are using every channel available to us,” Mr Harris said. “It is in times like these that the value of maintaining diplomatic relations, even when it may seem to cut against the grain of justice, is most clearly seen."

Mr Harris said the Government will "speak directly and persistently to those who hold our citizens" and reminds "all parties that Ireland will never be silent when the safety of our people is at stake".

“We cannot be silent when humanity itself is at stake in Gaza, we will continue to insist calmly, firmly, but without equivocation, that those detained be released without harm, they are wrongfully detained that humanitarian principles be upheld, under the right to bring aid.” 

Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire questioned whether the Government knew where all 22 Irish citizens travelling to Gaza were.

Mr Harris said there at 16 on the current flotilla, with 14 people confirmed as detained. He said it is likely the other two have also been detained.

The remaining eight people are on a different flotilla.

Mr Ó Laoghaire said the flotilla was bringing “hope” at a time of “barbarism” in Gaza, as he expressed concerns about his colleague Chris Andrews and other Irish citizens who have been detained.

“Reports have emerged of water cannon being used against small crafts and ships being rammed by the Israelis,” he said. “Given the horrors that they have been responsible for, unfortunately, that would be little surprise.” 

He said he spoke to Mr Andrews earlier in the week, and he was “worried”, adding that “you'd have to be mad not to be”.

Mr Harris also noted that he has been in touch with Independent TD Barry Heneghan, who is also travelling to Gaza and expected to reach the area within five days.

He added: “I am concerned that the European Union has made absolutely zero comment, to the very best of my knowledge, when there are hundreds of European citizens, European Union citizens, now detained.” 

He has also sought a phone call with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas.

Cian O'Callaghan of the Social Democrats criticised the government for failing to send personnel to observe the flotilla.

He said: "The question for this government is, what are you going to do about it? To be honest, I'm not hearing from what you're saying that [anything] sufficient has been done.

"There are strong words of condemnation, certainly, and I support you in that, but nothing indicates those strong words are being followed up with concrete actions."