Taoiseach condemns Israel over "disgusting" and "disgraceful" treatment of Flotilla activists
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he was “shocked and appalled” at the behaviour of an Israeli minister who taunted and heckled activists on board a Palestinian-bound aid-flotilla that was “abducted” by Israel’s navy.
Mr Martin also condemned as “disgusting” and “disgraceful” video footage that appears to show an Irish activist on the Global Sumud Flotilla being pushed to the ground by Israeli security personnel after she said “free Palestine”.
“It is disgusting behaviour. It’s disgraceful. It’s a blight on the Israeli Government and other European leaders are likewise calling this out,” Mr Martin said to reporters in Galway on Wednesday.
Galway woman Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of President Catherine Connolly, is among the activists detained by Israel.
Mr Martin said he would seek to get broader agreement in Europe on the European Union-Israeli Association Agreement.
“It’s no longer tenable that it would be business as usual with Israel, given it’s scant regard for European Union citizens. The right to protest is a sacred one, within any democracy. The Flotilla was in international waters and people were essentially abducted by the Israeli Government on the high seas,” Mr Martin said.
There has been Irish and international condemnation of Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir who was videoed taunting Flotilla activists kneeling on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs after being intercepted by Israel.
Speaking in Galway at the announcement of 85 new tech jobs at Medtronic, Mr Martin said he and Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee have contacted the Ambassador of Ireland to the state of Israel, Sonya McGuinness.
"We are appalled and shocked at the behaviour of Minister Ben-Gvir in respect of how he heckled, and mocked essentially and insulted people on the Sumud Flotilla, and also the manner in which they had hands tied behind their back and so on.
“It’s shocking footage and many other European countries have articulated their absolute disgust at what has transpired here. I will be raising it at European level – already am – and engaging with European counterparts. This is continued unacceptable behaviour by Israel generally, completely out of step with and in breach of international humanitarian law,” Mr Martin said.