Menu
04/06/2010
Israel Relaxes Blockade As Pressure Grows
A U-turn will not be made by the Rachel Corrie on its way to Gaza today, but Israel has instead capitulated to international pressure and reversed its blockade policy.
After days of continued international pressure from the Turkish and Irish Governments and even the US, senior Israeli ministers are expected to approve a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ease the naval blockade on Gaza.
Activists on board the Irish-owned aid ship MV Rachel Corrie, named after an American activist killed in Gaza several years ago, rubbished reports the vessel was returning to dock and vowed to continue towards Gaza in defiance of the blockade.
They expect to arrive at the Israeli exclusion zone over the weekend.
Under Mr Netanyahu's proposal, international inspectors would examine boats destined for Gaza to ensure no weapons were on board.
Former Assistant UN Secretary-General Denis Halliday from aboard the vessel told American journalists: "We have not stopped and have no intention of stopping. We will only stop when Israelis force us to do so."
In the North, there will be an emergency meeting of the Stormont Assembly today to discuss Israel's storming of the aid flotilla bound for Gaza while the Dublin Government has launched a petition to the Israeli Ambassador, who has refused to cooperate with a Daíl committee.
A Fianna Fail spokesman said so far over 2,000 people have already signed the petition, but said they really want to increase that number further.
"Please help us show the Israeli Government just how strongly the Irish people feel about their actions on Monday when they raided the Gaza bound, humanitarian aid flotilla, using lethal force and their subsequent detention of Irish citizen," the spokesman added.
The 11 strong crew aboard the Rachel Corrie, which is carrying 550 tons of cement to help in the effort to rebuild schools, homes and other building destroyed in Gaza, said they had no plans of confronting Israelis who may stop the vessel.
On Sunday, Israeli forces shot and killed nine people on board a Turkish vessel also bringing aid to the blockaded region, after they boarded the ship in international waters.
Israel claimed the crew had attacked their soldiers during the boarding, but this has since been dismissed by the volunteers caught up in the siege.
(DW/GK)
After days of continued international pressure from the Turkish and Irish Governments and even the US, senior Israeli ministers are expected to approve a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ease the naval blockade on Gaza.
Activists on board the Irish-owned aid ship MV Rachel Corrie, named after an American activist killed in Gaza several years ago, rubbished reports the vessel was returning to dock and vowed to continue towards Gaza in defiance of the blockade.
They expect to arrive at the Israeli exclusion zone over the weekend.
Under Mr Netanyahu's proposal, international inspectors would examine boats destined for Gaza to ensure no weapons were on board.
Former Assistant UN Secretary-General Denis Halliday from aboard the vessel told American journalists: "We have not stopped and have no intention of stopping. We will only stop when Israelis force us to do so."
In the North, there will be an emergency meeting of the Stormont Assembly today to discuss Israel's storming of the aid flotilla bound for Gaza while the Dublin Government has launched a petition to the Israeli Ambassador, who has refused to cooperate with a Daíl committee.
A Fianna Fail spokesman said so far over 2,000 people have already signed the petition, but said they really want to increase that number further.
"Please help us show the Israeli Government just how strongly the Irish people feel about their actions on Monday when they raided the Gaza bound, humanitarian aid flotilla, using lethal force and their subsequent detention of Irish citizen," the spokesman added.
The 11 strong crew aboard the Rachel Corrie, which is carrying 550 tons of cement to help in the effort to rebuild schools, homes and other building destroyed in Gaza, said they had no plans of confronting Israelis who may stop the vessel.
On Sunday, Israeli forces shot and killed nine people on board a Turkish vessel also bringing aid to the blockaded region, after they boarded the ship in international waters.
Israel claimed the crew had attacked their soldiers during the boarding, but this has since been dismissed by the volunteers caught up in the siege.
(DW/GK)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 June 2010
Deported Activist Hurt As Ship Nears Gaza
As tension mounts over the imminent arrival of an Irish Aid vessel into the Israeli guarded waters, it has emerged that an Irish citizen deported from Israel was injured in scuffles with security personnel late last night.
Deported Activist Hurt As Ship Nears Gaza
As tension mounts over the imminent arrival of an Irish Aid vessel into the Israeli guarded waters, it has emerged that an Irish citizen deported from Israel was injured in scuffles with security personnel late last night.
07 November 2011
Israeli Take Over 'Violent and Dangerous'
Irish activists onboard the MV Saoirse who were intercepted by Israeli navy as they attempted to break the Gaza blockade have described the takeover as "violent and dangerous". National coordinator of the Irish Ship to Gaza organisation, Fintan Lane, said the crew were sprayed with water from high pressure hoses and were then "forcibly removed...
Israeli Take Over 'Violent and Dangerous'
Irish activists onboard the MV Saoirse who were intercepted by Israeli navy as they attempted to break the Gaza blockade have described the takeover as "violent and dangerous". National coordinator of the Irish Ship to Gaza organisation, Fintan Lane, said the crew were sprayed with water from high pressure hoses and were then "forcibly removed...
05 December 2014
Gerry Adams Refused Entry Into Gaza
Gerry Adams has said he has been refused entry into Gaza by Israeli authorities. The Sinn Féin leader is on a three-day visit to Israel and Palestine and said he is "disappointed" at the decision. No reason for the refusal was given.
Gerry Adams Refused Entry Into Gaza
Gerry Adams has said he has been refused entry into Gaza by Israeli authorities. The Sinn Féin leader is on a three-day visit to Israel and Palestine and said he is "disappointed" at the decision. No reason for the refusal was given.
14 June 2010
Boycott Israeli Goods, Says Activists
The ghost of 'Captain Boycott' looms again in Ireland this week with news that campaigners have called for a boycott of Israeli goods until the blockade of Gaza ends. The Irish Anti-War Movement have vowed to continue holding demonstrations after taking their campaign to some of the capital's busiest supermarkets this past weekend.
Boycott Israeli Goods, Says Activists
The ghost of 'Captain Boycott' looms again in Ireland this week with news that campaigners have called for a boycott of Israeli goods until the blockade of Gaza ends. The Irish Anti-War Movement have vowed to continue holding demonstrations after taking their campaign to some of the capital's busiest supermarkets this past weekend.
11 December 2012
Irish Primary Pupils' Score Above National Average In Maths And Science
The Minister of State for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock TD, has welcomed a report examining Irish primary pupils' progress in maths and science in an international peer study. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides details of student achievement in maths and science at primary level in 50 countries.
Irish Primary Pupils' Score Above National Average In Maths And Science
The Minister of State for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock TD, has welcomed a report examining Irish primary pupils' progress in maths and science in an international peer study. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides details of student achievement in maths and science at primary level in 50 countries.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
