Press Statement: Paul Murphy MEP (Socialist Party) 30 June 2011
MEP condemns “terrorist-style” sabotage of Irish ship to Gaza that
threatened lives of Irish citizens and others
that threatened lives of Irish citizens and others
·        If Israeli state does not condemn the attack, ambassador
should be expelled from Ireland
·        “Sabotage will not deter me” – Paul Murphy will still
participate in Freedom Flotilla II aboard the Italian boat “The revelation that terrorist-style sabotage of the MV Saoirse caused
serious damage to the ship and threatened the loss of life is
extremely serious. The evidence pointing towards the Israeli state
being guilty is overwhelming. It cannot be a coincidence that two of
the boats destined to sail to Gaza have now been sabotaged in the same
way, with their propeller shafts damaged. “These attacks match with the Israeli government rhetoric that they
would do everything they could to prevent the flotilla from sailing.
Those, like Hillary Clinton, who gave an implicit green light to
Israeli Defence Forces aggression against the flotilla share
responsibility for this sabotage. The sabotage has not only caused
tens of thousands of euros of damage to these ships, but also
threatened the lives of all the participants aboard. The damage, to
the boats propeler shaft would have gradually resulted in the
propeller coming up through the bottom of the boat, causing a flood in
the engine room thereby causing the boat to sink. An international
independent investigation should be launched to fully investigate the
sabotage of the ships. “I demand a statement of condemnation of these terror attacks from the
Israeli state. If such a statement is not forthcoming, I call on the
Irish government to expel the Israeli ambassador from Ireland. “Although I am very disappointed at not being able to sail on the MV
Saoirse due to the damage to the ship, this sabotage will not deter me
from sailing to Gaza to protest at the continuing siege and virtual
imprisonment of the 1.6 million Palestinians living there. I will be
participating in the Italian boat as part of the Flotilla and will be
setting sail in a few days. “It was a pleasure campaigning alongside the other participants on the
MV Saoirse, all of whom made big sacrifices to try to break the
blockade to Gaza. The organisers and crew in particular put in a
herculean effort to prepare our ship and team and I am very thankful
to them. I am deeply disappointed for those that will not be able to
travel to Gaza due to this terrorism. However, I am hoping to bring
their messages of solidarity to the Palestinian people.� ENDS