SINN FÉIN COUNCILLORS on Dublin City Council have tabled an emergency motion demanding the immediate release of Irish citizens detained in Israel after the Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces. 

The last boat from the flotilla carrying aid to Gaza was intercepted by Israeli forces on Friday.

In total, more than 40 vessels in the flotilla were boarded by armed members of the IDF, according to organisers. Some 443 flotilla participants were arrested, they said.

There are 16 Irish citizens being held by Israel.

The motion, which is to be debated tomorrow night at the council’s meeting, asks that the council condemns the Israeli attacks on civilians and activists part of the flotilla, and demand “the Israeli government immediately releases all the Irish citizens held in custody and allows their safe passage home”.

The motion also includes a call for the council to demand an immediate ceasefire, that international law is respected, and for Israel to lift its blockade to allow for the delivery of aid into the Gaza Strip.

Sinn Féin’s group leader on the council, Daithí Doolan, said the emergency motion “serves to unite all city councillors in demanding that the Irish citizens be immediately released.”

He said reports of mistreatment of Irish citizens by Israeli authorities are concerning. 

Senator Chris Andrews, previously a Dublin City councillor, is one of the 16 citizens being detained at present. Doolan said the flotilla was a “an act of international solidarity”.

“The violent interception is a blatant violation of international law,” he said.

“Irish people know only too well about colonisation and occupation. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Palestinian brothers and sisters.” He urged all parties on the council to unite and support the motion demanding the immediate release of Irish citizens.

On Friday, legal representatives for a number of the detained Irish citizens wrote to Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris expressing concern for the detainees following “credible reports of mistreatment”.