Conor McGregor involved in spat with Games of Thrones actor over Gaza aid boat
Conor McGregor has become involved in a social media spat with Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham over the seizure of an aid vessel bound for Gaza.
The yacht, which includes activist Greta Thunberg among its 12-member crew, was intercepted by Israeli authorities in the early hours of Monday morning and is now en route to a port in Israel, officials have said.
The vessel, named Madleen, is operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition and was aiming to deliver aid to Gaza and raise awareness of the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region.
Madleen departed from Sicily a week ago, with Cunningham among those present at its launch.
The Dublin actor has been a vocal critic of the Irish Government's response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Arguing that the Irish Navy should protect the aid-carrying vessel, Cunningham said last week that these charity missions were doing the work governments had failed to do.
Cunningham said: "They are doing the job that we are supposed to be doing, the people who are supposed to respect international law."
"There should be a flotilla of Irish naval vessels standing up for our international law and treating international law with the respect it deserves, not this wonderful, disparate group of people who have got together to put their lives in danger because they're not being backed up.
"There should be a European force circling that boat to ensure that they get there, because that is their legal responsibility."
When news broke in the early hours of Monday morning that the flotilla had been intercepted by Israeli authorities, the 64-year-old voiced his anger on social media.
Cunningham wrote: "The Freedom flotilla was attacked during the night. The ship was rammed, boarded and the 12 volunteers kidnapped. This is more reprehensible behaviour from the genocidal regime in Tel Aviv."
In a reply to the actor's post, UFC fighter McGregor appeared to mock Cunningham for not making the journey himself.
McGregor wrote: "I thought you were on this boat Liamo, what happened? You forgot your goggles? You get sea sick off the gargle? Bottler."
Cunningham immediately shot back at McGregor, though, writing: "Didn't know you could read and write Conor. Thought you used your hands to tap out."
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said the activists on board Madleen were 'kidnapped by Israeli forces' while trying to deliver desperately needed aid to the famished territory.
'The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo — including baby formula, food and medical supplies —confiscated,' it said in a statement.
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Dublin Live
16 minutes ago
- Dublin Live
Irish actor hits back at Conor McGregor following 'bottler' jibe
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Conor McGregor has found himself in a Twitter row with 'Game of Thrones' actor Liam Cunningham following the capture of an aid ship headed for Gaza. The yacht, which counts activist Greta Thunberg among its 12-person crew, was seized by Israeli forces early Monday morning and is currently being escorted to an Israeli port, as confirmed by officials. The boat, known as Madleen, is part of the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition's efforts to deliver aid to Gaza and highlight the escalating humanitarian crisis there. Setting sail from Sicily just last week, Madleen had Cunningham in attendance at its send-off. Cunningham, the Dublin-born star, has been openly critical of the Irish Government's handling of the Gaza humanitarian situation, reports the Irish Mirror. Last week, he argued that the Irish Navy should be safeguarding the vessel carrying aid, claiming these charitable endeavours are stepping in where governments have not. Cunningham said: "They are doing the job that we are supposed to be doing, the people who are supposed to respect international law." He added: "There should be a flotilla of Irish naval vessels standing up for our international law and treating international law with the respect it deserves, not this wonderful, disparate group of people who have got together to put their lives in danger because they're not being backed up. "There should be a European force circling that boat to ensure that they get there, because that is their legal responsibility." (Image: Fabrizio Villa, Getty Images) The news that the flotilla had been stopped by Israeli forces in the early hours of Monday sparked outrage on social media, with the 64-year-old actor expressing his fury online. He wrote: "The Freedom flotilla was attacked during the night. The ship was rammed, boarded and the 12 volunteers kidnapped. This is more reprehensible behaviour from the genocidal regime in Tel Aviv." UFC star McGregor seemed to taunt Cunningham for not being part of the voyage himself, replying to the actor's post with a jibe. McGregor teased: "I thought you were on this boat Liamo, what happened? You forgot your goggles? You get sea sick off the gargle? Bottler." However, Cunningham didn't hold back in his response to McGregor, firing back with a sharp retort. Cunningham hit back at McGregor, saying: "Didn't know you could read and write Conor. Thought you used your hands to tap out." The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has stated that the activists aboard the Madleen were "kidnapped by Israeli forces" as they attempted to bring much-needed aid to the beleaguered area. "The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo - including baby formula, food and medical supplies -confiscated," the coalition declared in a statement. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
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