Irish hurt in aid ship massacre (Irish Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire on board)

[grassfed]

AN IRISH person has been reportedly wounded after Israeli forces stormed aid ships bound for Gaza.

The news emerged as parents of the Irish onboard the humanitarian convoy spoke of fears for their sons. Desperate attempts were being made today to contact seven Irish people who remain unaccounted for.

Up to 19 people, including at least 10 pro-Palestinian activists, were killed and 50 injured in the incident between Israeli naval commandos and the activists.

more


(snip)
A total of 12 Irish passport holders were known to have taken part in the aid mission.

At least three Irish people were on the Challenger 2, the boat on which the deaths and injuries were believed to have taken place. The first mate on the Challenger 2 is Shane Dillon from Dublin's south side. He is a brother of well-known musician Eoin Dillon, who plays with the group Kila.

Northern Irish Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire was among the people on board one of the ships.

[anigbrowl]

1. Irish government already summoned the Israeli ambassador

(FYI I'm Irish)

The quote I read, to the effect that the Irish goverhas found them less than helpful recently, is a polite way of saying we're furious. The government was already deeply upset over the misuse of Irish passports to facilitate the assassination in Dubai.

As a country which has had its own problems with genocidal oppression, terrorism, and a diaspora, Ireland has a unique understanding of Israel's situation. And of the Palestinians' situation too. Uniquely among nations, we have a constitutional policy of neutrality (other than in self-defense); Amnesty International was founded by an Irish man, and we play a leading role in human rights monitoring. Oh, and we've lost more soldiers per capital in UN colors than any other country, mostly inthe Middle East. We have long been regarded as honest brokers by, and have good trade and diplomatic relationships with every ME nation.

We may not have much military or financial muscle but we do have a great deal of moral authority. Of all the countries Israel might want not to piss off, I'd say we're in the top 10. WTF Netanyahu.

[provis99]

6. the Israeli government doesn't give a damn who they piss off.

Ireland's opinions mean precisely nothing to Nutty-yahoo and his cronies.

[EFerrari]

2. The Israelis need to release a list of dead and injured ASAP.

There are people all over the world worrying about their friends.

[activa8tr]

3. Don't hold your breath on that one. But with modern technology

we might get such a list uploaded by the people on the ship, themselves.

I believe we might even get video, like this here.

http://www.witnessgaza.com/

http://twitter.com/freegazaorg

That first link was posted on another thread somewhere on breaking news, I think.

[EFerrari]

4. Mari posted a partial passenger list from Free Gaza.

The problem is, some of those people were not on board because of logistical problem in Cyprus, iirc, and others were on board.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4404914&mesg_id=4404926

[activa8tr]

5. Yes, I caught that. I'm sure we might need another 24 hours

to get the names and numbers right.

But there's bound to be numerous reports coming out from lots of sources in the next day or two.

[backwoodsbob]

7. is it supposed to be more important if the injured was Irish?

[EFerrari]

8. It is to the Irish papers.

[backwoodsbob]

9. so to the Isreali's it must be most important

that Isreali's were injured..true?

[EFerrari]

10. You asked a question and I pointed out that the SOURCE

of the OP is an Irish paper that naturally would focus on Irish citizens.

Maybe next time bother to read the link.

[Alamuti Lotus]

12. Yes, their papers classify this event as a tragic ambush laid by the activists

Their brave soldiers were just trying to commit little harmless piracy in international waters, and those crazed antisemites set a trap for the commandos and violently ambushed the boarding party. Paraphrasing an actual article, as ridiculous as that sounds.

The moral of the story is that the perspective of the source will often colour the content of what is presented. That's not too surprising.

[Matilda]

11. According to this tweet that I found, Mairead Maguire is on board the mv Rachel Corrie,

which is still steaming towards Gaza; due to arrive Wednesday.

May 31, 2010
10 hours ago Irish Boat the MV Rachel Corrie proceeding to Gaza #flotilla
I received the following message from a member of the Belfast Palestine Solidarity Committee which has received word from the Free Gaza Movement that those aboard the Irish vessel "Rachel Corrie" have decided to proceed to Gaza. A full press release is expected shortly.

Niamh Moloughney of the Free Gaza Movement has just sent the following message :

>> Ok just got word from Derek,
>> they have all agreed to take the Rachel Corrie to Gaza as intended,
>> she's 2 days away, it's a Malaysian & Irish partnership
>> on board we have Denis Halliday, Mairead Maguire, Derek & Jenny Graham, Fiona Thompson (film)
>> and Mathias Chang human rights lawyer, Malaysian MP & media - bios attached
>> The Malaysians are serious contenders- they are very close to their government & have FULL support.
>> We have 2 days to turn this outrage into a victory & get the Rachel Corrie into Gaza with the support of the world
>> and open this sea route.
>> Will get press release together when I finish work - hopefully can stay awake!
>> all the best,
>> Niamh

It's vital that we now give full support to this ship reaching Gaza.

http://aliabunimah.posterous.com/irish-boat-the-mv-rachel-corrie-proceeding-to

From Australia's ABC News:

Israel's navy, meanwhile, says it is ready to stop another aid ship headed to Gaza, playing down the prospect of its forces shying from another confrontation.

Israel's Army Radio reported the MV Rachel Corrie, a converted merchant ship, would reach Gazan waters by Wednesday.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/01/2915244.htm

[Pakman]

13. First the Mossad steals an Irish citizen's passport, now this

Remember a few months ago when Mossad stole an Irish Citizen's passport (and passports from other people, too) in order to kill an alleged terrorist?