Activist wants sanctions from Ireland

ACTIVIST FIACHRA Ó Luain, who travelled on the Challenger 1as part of the Gaza-bound aid flotilla, has called for Irish economic and diplomatic sanctions against Israel.

Mr Ó Luain, who met representatives from various political parties in Leinster House yesterday, said there should be a “targeted boycott” on certain produce and Israel should also face diplomatic “consequences”.

He said: “We need to show leadership with diplomatic and economic sanctions.” He also called for “ecumenical action” and said Ireland should enhance relations with civic society groups in Israel in order to strengthen alternatives to what he described as “reactionary” groups.

Mr Ó Luain said he feared the commission of inquiry set up by Israel to examine the raid on a Turkish ship bound for Gaza on May 31st that left nine activists dead would be “another Widgery”, a reference to the discredited Bloody Sunday inquiry of the 1970s.

Former Northern Ireland first minister David Trimble is one of two non-voting foreign observers on the panel of the commission of inquiry. “I would politely appeal to him not to compromise his credibility,” Mr Ó Luain said.

He said he would welcome ongoing high-level talks between Israel and Turkey to repair relations “if it brought about an independent international inquiry”.

Mr Ó Luain said he had witnessed members of the Israeli military punching and stamping on detainees. He also alleged he was kicked and beaten while held at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv and that his life was threatened.

“Ireland has no problem dealing with Israel in future as long as it’s peaceful contact,” he said.

Mr Ó Luain said he hoped to be invited to address an Oireachtas committee about his experiences soon.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin last month said trade sanctions or boycotts of Israel because of its security policies would be futile and counter-productive.

Mr Ó Luain unsuccessfully contested the 2009 European elections in Ireland Northwest. He complained to gardaí that 3,000 of his first-preference votes were initially counted as votes for Libertas founder Declan Ganley.