Humanitarian ship, hoping to deliver aid to Gaza, took detour to rescue immigrants
RTE's Joe Caulfield speaks to a crew member aboard the 'Madleen' aid flotilla bound for Gaza. The so-called Freedom Flotilla, which includes environmentalist and human rights campaigner Greta Thunberg, aims to end what is calls the siege of Gaza, and open a humanitarian corridor for the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip.
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Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
Gaza aid ship with Greta Thunberg on board rescues four refugees from Mediterranean
The crew of a boat carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza has rescued four people who jumped from a sinking inflatable raft in the Central Mediterranean. The Madleen's voyage has been launched by the international non-profit Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC). The vessel changed course off the coast of Crete on Thursday following a distress call from Frontex, the European border and coast guard agency, about the deflating raft. Crew members said the raft was carrying 30-40 Sudanese people fleeing refugee camps in Libya. After contacting Greek and Egyptian authorities, the Madleen was advised to intervene. As a Libyan coast guard vessel approached, four people on the boat jumped overboard to avoid capture. Migrants in Libyan detention centres face human rights abuses. The four people were taken aboard the Madleen, whose crew has contacted search and rescue non-governmental agencies and urged Greece, Malta and Italy to organise the transfer of the Sudanese people to Europe. READ MORE The FFC has said the Madleen will continue its mission despite Israel saying it could intercept the vessel. In a video posted on X, Brazilian crew member Thiago Avila said the intention is to 'break the siege of Gaza and create a people's humanitarian sea corridor.' The boat, named after Madleen Kulab, Gaza's only fisherwoman, set sail from Sicily seven days ago. Those on board include Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan. They are joined by activists from Germany, Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands. The Israeli military has said it is 'enforcing the maritime security blockade on the Gaza Strip' and is 'prepared and ready for a wide range of scenarios'. Interviewed by Al-Jazeera during the journey, Thunberg said they will resist peacefully if boarded or diverted. Israel's broadcasting authority has said the ship could be forced to turn back or escorted to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where its crew would face arrest. [ International aid ship en route to Gaza will be stopped, warns Israeli military Opens in new window ] Another FFC vessel, the Conscience, was struck by drones in May and limped into port in Malta. The FFC blamed Israel for the attack. Prof John Dugard, a former judge at the International Court of Justice, said in an interview with FFC that 'to justify action in self-defence, Israel has to satisfy the international community that it has been subjected to an attack. And no one can describe the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza as an attack.' The UN warned on Thursday that Israeli restrictions have left the people of Gaza 'vulnerable to starvation' with daily consumption only 67 per cent of the amount needed for survival.
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Do right thing Donald Trump' – Enormous ‘Free Palestine' message scrawled in sand at Doonbeg as plea issued for US pres
AN enormous 350-foot wide message reading "Free Palestine" was scrawled in the sand at a beach in front of US President Donald Trump's golf resort in Co Clare this week. A trio of activists wrote the temporary message in response to Israeli attacks in 3 'Free Palestine' message in the sand near Trump's hotel Credit: Sean Corcoran 3 Each letter in the sand art stood at about 40 foot tall Credit: Sean Corcoran Sean Corcoran, who worked alongside two friends to create the sand art on Doughmore Strand in He told RTE: "Israel's actions are being made possible by the USA and other countries who continue to supply them military equipment." Sean continued: "I chose the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg as a poignant location for this installation. I thought I would use the privilege I am afforded in this democracy to voice my opinion. "I believe a turning point has been reached and politicians will need to start responding to growing public outrage. READ MORE IRISH NEWS "The USA and other countries need to stop supporting Israel. "We all need to insist on a ceasefire. Do the right thing Each letter in the sand art, which Sean's friends James Corcoran Hodgins and Caoláin Power assisted him with, stood at about 40 foot tall. But Sean, who is a regular visitor to the US on art projects, admitted that the message at Donald Trump's golf course in Ireland could land him in trouble if he tries to return to America. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN He said: "If the Trump administration decided that my opinions and actions on the sand are anti-Semitic, it's possible that I would be detained or deported if I try to return." Moment dozens of pro-Palestine protesters are arrested at gates of Government The for Irish people heading to the US in general has not changed , Simon Harris previously confirmed. However, the Tanaiste said that this advice will be kept "under constant review". He added that people have seen "scenes from across America in terms of protest", specifically when it comes to He said: "It's important when you go to any jurisdiction to consider the local situation, the local laws, to consider if what is acceptable in Ireland is acceptable in the country that you are visiting and to also know, specifically in relation to the TRAVEL RISK The in Ireland, which represents over 350,000 students, has The USI said: "While activism is a vital part of student life and a right that should be protected, it is important that students fully understand the possible consequences for their visa status, including the risk of deportation, and take steps to safeguard their participation in such activities." Separately, A US- and Israeli-backed group handing out aid in Gaza said all its distribution sites were closed until further notice. The group urged residents to stay away from these venues "for their safety" after a series of deadly shootings. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said that a reopening date would be announced at a later time. 3 Sean Corcoran worked alongside two friends to create the sand art on Doughmore Strand in Doonbeg Credit: Sean Corcoran
RTÉ News
15 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Humanitarian ship, hoping to deliver aid to Gaza, took detour to rescue immigrants
RTE's Joe Caulfield speaks to a crew member aboard the 'Madleen' aid flotilla bound for Gaza. The so-called Freedom Flotilla, which includes environmentalist and human rights campaigner Greta Thunberg, aims to end what is calls the siege of Gaza, and open a humanitarian corridor for the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip.
