Cllr Dermot Looney, a Labour Party representative on South Dublin County Council, has expressed his solidarity with the crew of the MV Saoirse, the Irish ship bound for Gaza as part of the “Freedom Flotilla.” Cllr Looney was commenting in advance of the MV Saoirse’s departure for Gaza from Greece, which is due later this week.
“The MV Saoirse is part of a co-ordinated humanitarian flotilla which wishes to bring aid to Gaza, where 80% of the population are dependent on international aid for mere survival. The Israeli-imposed blockade continues to wreak misery for its one and a half million residents. The Freedom Flotilla II, of which the MV Saoirse is a part, aims to deliver important aid and supplies to the people of Gaza in spite of the despicable aggression of the Israeli Defence Force last year in killing nine crew of the Mavi Marmara.”
“The MV Saoirse counts among its passengers a variety of figures from across the political spectrum as well as a tradesman, a trade union activist, an historian, an artist, a photographer and former Irish international rugby star Trevor Hogan. To claim, as some have bizarrely done, that it is some form of ‘ultra-left’ campaign is both disingenuous and dangerous.”
“As a Labour Councillor who has been active in supporting rights for the Palestinian people and a just peace in the region for many years, I want to offer my solidarity to those aboard the MV Saoirse and wish them a safe journey and return home.”
ENDS
Link - http://www.irishshiptogaza.org
