A RARE CROSS-PARTY motion condemning recent attacks on the Gaza aid flotilla is expected to be tabled in the Dáil next week.
The Oireachtas Business Committee agreed this evening to finalise wording for a joint statement, which will be tabled on behalf of all members of the Dáil next Tuesday.
The move comes after Tuesday night’s attack on the flotilla off the coast of Greece, when drones dropped explosive devices on several vessels attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
No casualties were reported, but organisers said the incident appeared to be designed to intimidate those on board.
There are 22 Irish citizens participating in the voyage, including Sinn Féin senator Chris Andrews.
Activists say they intend to continue towards Gaza despite growing fears of further Israeli action as the boats move into international waters.
Israel has vowed to stop the flotilla, which it accuses of “serving Hamas”.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was working with EU partners to secure the safety of those on board.
Speaking in Washington DC, where he oversaw the opening of a new Irish embassy, he said he had raised the matter directly with the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, and asked her to consider issuing a statement on behalf of the bloc.
“I’ve linked in with our own team back home now, and my understanding is there’s efforts to see if the Dáil can pass a cross-party motion. I’m very open to that,” Harris said.
Tánaiste Simon Harris speaking to the media outside the United Nations Building in New York Department of Foreign Affairs
Department of Foreign Affairs
“Israel has to know, in the strongest possible terms, that any breaches of international law will be taken extraordinarily seriously.”
Spain and Italy have already deployed naval vessels to monitor the situation and support their citizens on board.
The issue was also raised in the Dáil today, with People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy calling for the government to send an observer to join the flotilla’s legal support vessel.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said he would refer the proposal to the Department of Foreign Affairs but stressed that “diplomacy is the way we conduct our affairs”, rejecting suggestions the government was being passive.
Murphy accused the government of failing to act decisively, while Donohoe insisted Ireland was engaging “in direct contact” with flotilla organisers and pushing for a coordinated EU response.
He also rejected Israeli claims that the activists were linked to terrorism, saying he had “no doubt whatsoever” they were motivated by humanitarian concerns.
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty had sought to bring forward a motion today to condemn the attack, but the Leas-Cheann Comhairle said the matter fell under the remit of Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy.
Flotilla organisers have estimated that they are just four days away from Gaza.
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