PRO-PALESTINIAN activists in Ireland are to launch a fundraising drive to purchase an Irish vessel to participate in another attempt to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
At a meeting in Turkey last month, organisers of the flotilla intercepted by Israeli commandos in May decided to plan another, bigger flotilla. The flotilla, which organisers say will consist of 12-15 vessels, is expected to set sail for Gaza in October.
In Ireland, an umbrella body which includes the Free Gaza Movement (FGM), the Irish Anti-War Movement, the Dublin-based Palestinian Rights Institute, the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and the Trade Union Friends of Palestine, has been established to raise funds.
Dr Fintan Lane, a spokesperson for the FGM’s Irish affiliate who participated in the May flotilla, said Irish activists were “determined . . . to ensure that there is a large Irish component” in the next flotilla. “We believe that a breach of the sea blockade by the planned flotilla will fatally undermine Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza – the ships will be bringing aid, but the primary purpose is to break the siege.”
Dr Lane said those on the planned Irish vessel will include leading public figures as well as activists.
The Israeli military raid on the original six-vessel flotilla on May 31st resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish activists. Israel has vowed to stop all attempts to break its naval blockade of Gaza.