Irish ship sails into the eye of the storm

[sabrina 1]

Irish ship sails into the eye of the storm

No guarantee vessel won't be attacked

ISRAEL was last night giving no guarantee about the safety of the Irish crew on board the ship sailing to deliver its aid cargo amid an international crisis.

The 'MV Rachel Corrie' is now heading for a showdown with the Israeli navy within days as it attempts to breach a blockade of Gaza.

It had been due to join an international aid flotilla that was intercepted by Israeli commandos on Monday, leading to at least 10 deaths -- and triggering international outrage.

The five Irish crew members said last night they were "more determined than ever" to reach Gaza with their aid cargo of 550kg of bagged cement, 150kg of medical equipment (including a CT scanner) and a further 57kg of printing paper, schoolbooks and toys.

But Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin confirmed to the Dail last night that he had received no guarantee from Israeli authorities that the 'Rachel Corrie' would be given safe passage.

Ireland's Parliament (The Dail) is supportive of the humanitarian mission. Should the Israelis attack the ship or refuse to release the Irish citizens they are holding, they have the option, as Prime Minister, Brian Cowen alluded to, of expelling the Israeli Ambassador and recalling the Irish Ambassador from Israel.

The Dail last night passed an all-party motion calling for an independent international inquiry to be carried out into the killings by Israeli commandos at least 10 peace activists on board the aid flotilla.

The motion also called on Israel to release the seven Irish citizens seized from a convoy of ships carrying aid to Gaza.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen backed up the message by saying Israel "did not have a leg to stand on" when it came to detaining the Irish citizens and warned there would be "serious consequences" if the Irish crew members of the 'Rachel Corrie' were harmed.

Meanwhile, Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister, Micheal Martin, gave a statement to the newspaper, The Irish Independent regarding the tragedy:


Israeli soldiers guarding one of the Gaza-bound ships held at the port of Ashdod, Israel, yesterday


Micheal Martin: Pressure must be stepped up against Israel

IN line with the vast majority of Irish people, I was appalled by Monday's events involving the storming of the Turkish vessel, the Mavi Marmara, by the Israeli military, which resulted in at least 10 people killed and the detention of vessels containing humanitarian goods bound for Gaza.

The deployment of the Israeli military was completely disproportionate to the situation and its actions utterly unacceptable.

I fully understand the real public anger which exists. I share the general frustration at the needless loss of life and at the continuing humanitarian suffering and collective punishment of the people of Gaza.

What I find particularly disturbing is that the Israeli government has again chosen to regard its security concerns as overriding all other considerations, to the extent of allowing its military to violently board a civilian ship on a humanitarian mission. Respect for international law has been completely disregarded and undermined and the international community needs to leave Israel in no doubt about what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable behaviour by any government or state.

Monday's events can be directly attributed to the illegal and unjust blockade of Gaza which Israel has maintained for some three years now. I very much welcome the clear statement which has now been made by the EU that it can no longer accept the continued policy of closure, as well as the presidential statement adopted by the UN Security Council describing the situation in Gaza as unsustainable. International pressure needs to be increased on Israel to end its disastrous policy towards Gaza. I intend pursuing with my EU colleagues in the coming weeks exactly what further steps the EU can take to bring this about.

The Government has not hesitated to express its deep concerns to the Israeli government about what has occurred. I called in the Israeli Ambassador on Monday evening precisely for this purpose and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the seven Irish citizens who we so far know to be detained. I also made clear that Israel's initial refusal to facilitate full consular access to those detained was unacceptable and in breach of the Vienna Conventions.
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Ireland was always a good friend to Israel and still is. But good friends do not remain silent when they see their friends doing harm to themselves and others. Hopefully Israel will listen to its friends now.

[UndertheOcean]

1. Hope the "Rachel Corrie" reaches its destination safely.

[sabrina 1]

8. Some good news that might mean it will get there safely.

It looks like Israel is releasing ALL of the activists as of just a few hours ago. I had read they would detain 50 people. But it looks like the world wide outrage has made them realize playing PR games is not going to help at all.

The Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs is grateful that all Irish Citizens will home soon.

It looks like Israel realizes it cannot afford another disaster. So, I think the Rachel Corrie will be safe.

[Catherina]

2. It is time to break the blockade

Turkey promised a naval escort last week. All countries that have citizens on board should accompany the ships and break the blockade once and for all.

[sabrina 1]

5. That is a very good idea.

Every involved country sending their navies to protect their citizens. Yes, and keep doing it until Israel is forced to accept a peace agreement.

The U.S. will not take the lead in this situation, that has been made clear.

The rest of the world could do it by following your advice. Leave the U.S. out of it since they are far too compromised to be honest brokers.

But a coalition of countries, which I don't think would be hard to find right now, letting Israel know 'this blockade has to go'. Someone has to do something to end this aggression which will eventually lead to a major war.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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[sabrina 1]

4. I don't know, It could be an opportunity for the Israelis to

try to improve their image. Surprisingly their usual aggressive PR after they do something like this hasn't been working very well. But if they escorted the ship to Gaza (the activists say they will not be resisting should Commandos board the ship as that is not their goal) they could use it to show that if people do as they ask, they are reasonable. Not sure how many would believe that though ... but it would certainly not help at all if there was another violent episode.

But I don't want to give them any free PR advice as it appears now, from eye-witnesses that they were very aggressive even on other ships where the passengers were completely non-resistant.

[glitch]

10. Rightwingers aren't known for growing from experience, only entrenching.

Hope I am wrong and they do break out of their trap.

[Joanne98]

6. Think they'll remember who Rachel Corrie was?

[formercia]

7. It is time to free the Palestinian Ghetto

It seems the Israelis have learned little from History and the experience of their ancestors.

[sabrina 1]

18. It may be out of their hands this time.

Our country is a disgrace for continuing to encourage their behavior. I have just learned from the foreign press that Israel has a history of attacking peace makers while the U.S. turns a blind eye, even when the victims are U.S. citizens.

Now they are seeing how other countries view the killing of their citizens. And maybe the world will move on beyond the U.S. and start dealing with this blockade as it should have been dealt with a long time ago. Collective punishment is a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.

I've long lost hope that the U.S. cares much about war crimes even now under this administration, so long as it is their allies committing them.

[brendan120678]

9. The Irish should allow one or two...

civilian Israeli inspectors on board the ships to prove to the Israeli government that there are no weapons, bombs, or other nefarious goods being sent to the poor folks in Gaza.

Hopefully that will end the apparent paranoia that the Israeli government has that the whole world is trying to support a war between the Palestinians in Gaza and Israel.

[sabrina 1]

12. I think that's what they plan to do.

On board will be one of the women from Northern Ireland, Mairead Maguire, who won the Nobel Peace for her work in that conflict. Many people thought that was a situation which would never be resolved either, but it has been to a great extent. When everyone grows tired of war and decide that compromise is necessary on all sides, it is possible to find some peace.

[Mari333]

11. peace be with the Rachel Corrie.

[Dont TS Me Brah]

13. watch for Israeli submarines and air attack fighters...

going on deck is too messy

:sarcasm:

[Mari333]

14. Rachel Corrie, 5th grade speech.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK8Z3i3aTq4

and more Rachel Corrie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBPf29ZOWkg&feature=related

[sabrina 1]

15. That is so sad. Even as a little girl she cared so much

about injustice.

Looking at how other nations work to protect their humanitarian workers, it is shocking how this government tolerates the abuses of our peace workers.

Did the U.S. even demand an apology for her death? I don't remember that.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

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[tekisui]

16. knr