Latest news with #InternationalSolidarityMovement
The Journal
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Israeli authorities deny legal counsel to 70-year-old Irish activist facing deportation
ISRAELI AUTHORITIES HAVE brought 70-year-old Irish woman D. Murphy before the courts without allowing her access to legal representation, nor informing her solicitor of the proceedings, according to several local pro-Palestinian activists. Máire Ní Mhurchú, an activist originally from Cork who goes by the name D. Murphy, has been held in custody in Israel since 1 June, when Israeli authorities issued what local activist groups have described as an 'unjust deportation order' . Murphy was arrested alongside Swedish national Suzanne Björk, who has since been deported from Israel to Athens . The two women were detained shortly after Israeli forces declared the village a 'closed military zone'. Murphy was initially held at Ben Gurion Airport, before being transferred to Givon Prison in Ramla on Tuesday. Advertisement In a statement released today, the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a Palestine-based group, stated that Murphy was brought before a judge yesterday 'without legal representation and without her lawyer being notified'. According to the ISM, legal counsel was denied despite Murphy's request and her solicitor's repeated attempts to contact her through the prison service. 'Murphy told her family, during a phone call she was permitted to make, that she had been deliberately given an incorrect phone number for her lawyer,' said ISM spokesperson Mariam. Mariam added that the last time Murphy managed to speak with her solicitor was on Monday, noting: 'As of today, we still do not know the outcome of the hearing.' 'These tactics—denying legal advice—are familiar to activists in solidarity with Palestinians, as Israeli authorities continue to act with impunity,' she continued. She also said ISM activists are 'deeply concerned' for D. Murphy, who they believe will likely be deported from Israel soon. 'As it stands, we do not know the outcome or what the next steps will be.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Pembrokeshire Herald
2 days ago
- General
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Swansea activist detained in Israel after standing with threatened West Bank villagers
Calls for justice as 70-year-old D. Murphy is held in Israeli prison amid crackdown on foreign observers A SWANSEA-BASED peace activist is being detained in an Israeli prison after she was arrested while standing in solidarity with Palestinian families facing imminent displacement in the West Bank. D. Murphy, a 70-year-old Irish citizen who resides in Swansea, was arrested alongside Swedish national Susanne Björk in the village of Khalet Al-Daba'a on May 31. Both women are reported to have complied with Israeli army orders but were accused of entering a restricted military area and failing to identify themselves. Murphy has since been transferred from Ben Gurion Airport to Givon Prison in Ramla. Her legal team is in contact with Israeli authorities, but her family and supporters have yet to speak to her directly. Björk was deported on Sunday, while Murphy is opposing deportation and faces a hearing before an Israeli judge. Her son, Dale Ryan, told campaigners: 'As far as I can see, her only crime was observing crimes against Palestinian people. I'm proud of my mother for standing up for human rights.' Murphy and Björk were present in Khalet Al-Daba'a, a small village in the Masafer Yatta region, to witness and report on the treatment of residents. The area has been subject to severe restrictions and demolitions by Israeli forces, with activists alleging ethnic cleansing and illegal land seizure by settlers. Masafer Yatta has long been under threat of forced removal since Israeli authorities designated it as a military firing zone in the 1980s. In recent months, violence has escalated. On May 5, Israeli forces destroyed 90% of homes and basic infrastructure in Khalet Al-Daba'a. Since then, settlers have returned almost daily, reportedly harassing remaining families and attempting to establish an illegal outpost. Murphy said in a statement before her arrest: 'This isn't about politics. It's about justice. Ordinary people like me are answering the call to witness what's happening because most governments are doing nothing.' The International Solidarity Movement (ISM), which organises peaceful observation missions in the region, said that Israeli authorities are increasingly targeting foreign nationals. A US citizen was deported from the same village in March, and the Israeli government has announced plans to build 22 new settlements despite international rulings declaring them illegal. The situation has prompted calls from human rights groups and campaigners in the UK and Ireland to urge the Foreign Office to intervene and demand Murphy's release. The Herald understands that Ms Murphy is a long-time activist who previously participated in humanitarian missions in Palestine. Her supporters say she poses no threat and was acting peacefully when arrested. A spokesperson for ISM said: 'International observers are being criminalised simply for documenting what is happening on the ground. We urge Welsh and UK representatives to stand up for D. Murphy and for the people of Masafer Yatta.' The UK Government has yet to issue a public response regarding Murphy's detention.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
Swansea woman arrested by Israeli police under 'false accusations', says campaign group
Swansea woman arrested by Israeli police under 'false accusations', says campaign group Ms D. Murphy, who lives in Swansea has been arrsted by the Israeli police and her family have not spoken to her since her arrest on Saturday Ms D. Murphy had left for West Bank four weeks ago (Image: International Solidarity Movement ) A Swansea woman has been arrested by the Israeli authorities from a village in West Bank in Palestine, and is now facing deportation according to her family and an activist group. The woman, who prefers to be known only as Ms D. Murphy, is an Irish citizen who has been living in Swansea for more than 40 years. Ms Murphy, 70, and Swedish citizen Susanne Björk, 48 — also based out of the UK, were arrested from from the village of Khalet Al-Daba'a in Masafer Yatta, according to the campaign group International Solidarity Movement (ISM). The ISM has said that both of the UK based activists were arrested on May 31 by the Israeli police, after being accused of being in a military area. The ISM has labelled this as a 'false accusation.' Ms Murphy's family has not spoken to her since her arrest (Image: International Solidarity Movement ) Both the activists faced deportation after their arrest but Ms Murphy's son Dale Ryan, who lives in Swansea as well, has said that his mother intends to fight her arrest and deportation. Ms Björk has since been deported, Dale confirmed. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here Dale denies the accusations levied against his mum. He said: 'The police arrested my mum and the other woman Suzanne Björk who was there. Susanne's already been deported and she's gone home. Article continues below 'They said that she was in the military zone and that she wouldn't show ID but obviously the westerners, the internationals, with ISM they comply with any requests from the army because they're not there to cause trouble, they're just there to be witnesses.' This also wasn't the first time that Ms Murphy has been to Palestine. Dale told WalesOnline that she has been to conflicted region 12-13 times since 2004. Her current visit to Palestine started four weeks ago. According to the latest update given by the ISM, Ms Murphy has moved from detention centre in Ben Gurion airport to Givon prison in Ramla. Though a lawyer has been in touch with the relevant authorities, neither ISM nor Ms Murphy's family have established direct contact with her and are waiting for more information. 'She'll be having a hearing on Thursday because she's refusing to be deported as she said she hasn't done anything wrong. Which she hasn't really, she's just been a witness.' Dale said. 'Obviously her refusing to just to leave, challenging the deportation, that's bringing attention and awareness to the whole situation. 'Like obviously it is important what's going on with my mother, but my mother is only doing this so she can highlight what is going on in the West Bank and obviously towards Gaza as well.' As of now, Dale believes that Ms Murphy's "basic rights and basic needs are being met.' Dale explained that his mother has also been a part of other demonstrations, including the invasion of Iraq. He added that a "piece of her[Ms Murphy's] heart is in Palestine.' 'We all cope in a slightly different way. I've got two sisters but we're all there for each other and we know as well that my mother is is doing what she's passionate about,' he said. Dale added: 'The last few months she's been to the same region, to Masafer Yatta, so she knows the people there. She's lived with them, she has walked the hills with them. She can converse in Arabic. 'A piece of her heart is in Palestine, so, she is where she needs to be. Although it is worrying for us, of course it is, but we also understand. She needs to be there, and the people of Palestine need all the support they can get.' Dale only has one message that he wishes gets to his mother: 'I would say, stay strong, we love you very much, look after yourself and we lok forward to seeing you when you get home.' Swansea West Labour MP Torsten Bell has said: "I am aware of reports that one of my constituents, a 70-year-old woman, has been arrested by the Israeli authorities. "I am in touch with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and am monitoring the situation closely. Thank you to everyone who has contacted me about it." The Israeli Governmnet has been approached for a comment. Article continues below
The National
2 days ago
- General
- The National
Irish pro-Palestine activist detained by Israeli police in West Bank
70-year-old Máire ní Mhurchú, who is known as D Murphy, was detained by Israeli police on Saturday in Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank, according to the International Solidarity Movement. Living in Swansea but originally from Cork, Murphy was arrested with 48-year-old Swedish activist Susanne Björk, apparently for being in a closed military zone. Meanwhile, on Monday, Murphy reportedly refused to be put on a plane at Tel Aviv airport by police and called for a court trial instead. READ MORE: New poll shows Scots overwhelmingly back indy over Westminster direct rule The activist group she is a part of, which supports Palestinian residents in the West Bank, said Murphy is 'fighting the unjust deportation order and is facing time in jail', after being arrested, adding: 'We demand action now.' She told Nation Cymru: 'When most governments all around the world are ignoring the genocide in Gaza and the ethnic cleansing of the West Bank, ordinary people like me are answering the Palestinians' call to come and be a witness to these events being carried out by the Zionist Israeli entity. 'It's not about politics, it's about justice and freedom for all people.' (Image: Ahmad Gharabli / AFP via Getty Images) Her son, Dale Ryan, said meanwhile: 'As far as I can see her only crime was observing crimes against Palestinian people. D has always had a strong sense of justice and I know she could not sit at home while she knew her friends in Masafer Yatta and all of Palestine were suffering unnecessarily. 'I am very proud of my mother for sticking up for the basic human rights of her friends and trying to raise awareness of the injustices the Palestinian people are experiencing.' A spokesperson for Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said they are aware of the case and providing consular assistance. 'As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the details of individual cases,' they added.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Irish woman held in Israel did nothing 'to warrant detention'
A Swedish woman who was arrested by Israeli authorities in the occupied West Bank along with Irish woman Deirdre "D" Murphy has said that they had not done anything to warrant detention and deportation. Suzanne Björk was detained by Israel with Ms Murphy and has since been deported to Athens in Greece after agreeing to get on the next available flight from Israel. Ms Murphy, who is 71 and originally from Co Cork, was volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), an activist group helping Palestinian residents in the occupied West Bank. ISM said Ms Murphy was arrested in the village of Khalet Al-Daba'a in Masafer Yatta in the southern part of the occupied West Bank. They were interrogated in a local police station accused of being in a military zone, as parts of Masafer Yatta have been designated by Israeli authorities a closed military zone since the 1980s. ISM said that 90% of the homes in Khalet Al-Daba'a have been demolished and residents are living in tents and caves. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Björk said that they were originally arrested for being in the wrong place. "They said we were in an area that we weren't supposed to be, in a firing zone. There was no sign visible that this was a firing zone. There were many other people there, including the settler shepherds and villagers, and other Israelis," she said. Ms Björk added: "There were many people there, there was no sign, and the night before we had spoken to the police and the Israeli army. They, at no point, said that we weren't supposed to be there, or asked us to leave." "We complied with all instruction. The charge in the end, they said we didn't leave when asked, we didn't show our ID, and this is completely false, because we did at every point." Ms Björk said that Ms Murphy was still being detained because she had decided to contest her charges, rather than agree to leave. "D is still detained. After we had done the immigration hearing, we had separate hearings, but I was told that my visa had been cancelled. I was now in Israel illegally and I was detained," she said. "Legally, there's a three-day turnaround for them to deport you, but I had signed a paper to say I was willing to take the first flight out. "I was put on a plane to Athens. D, however, decided to fight this deportation, because we had done nothing wrong. These are completely false accusations," Ms Björk said. "And so, she has remained in detention, waiting to see a judge, which I don't know when that may be," she added. Ms Björk denied claims that their behaviour while in detention was threatening. Ms Murphy was in a detention centre at Ben Gurion Airport. However, ISM said she will be transported to another facility to await a court hearing. "The immigration officer brought up charges, saying that we were threatening and humiliating soldiers and police," Ms Björk said. "D is a 71-year-old woman, I am a 48-year-old woman. We're not really threatening. We definitely wouldn't be threatening heavily armed men," she said. "They offered for us to leave voluntarily. We didn't think that seemed correct, because there would be no paperwork of this incident and we hadn't actually done anything wrong. We had just been in an area that we weren't supposed to be in, and that wasn't clear," Ms Björk added. Ms Murphy's son, Dale Ryan, who is also based in Swansea, told RTÉ News yesterday that his mother has been there for five weeks but has been volunteering in the West Bank for 20 years and considers many families in the area as friends. "She has been in good shape for her age, but I am worried about her health as conditions are difficult," he said. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said yesterday it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.
