Murphy to join flotilla challenging Gaza blockade

Dublin TD Paul Murphy will set sail from Tunisia next week as part of a global flotilla attempting to break the blockade of Gaza, joining an international protest that organisers say is the largest ever of its kind.

The People Before Profit deputy is one of eleven Irish participants taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which involves more than 50 boats and participants from 44 countries.

High-profile figures including climate activist Greta Thunberg and Hollywood actor Susan Sarandon are also among those due to sail.

The flotilla will set off in stages, with the first wave of boats leaving Barcelona on August 31 and others departing from Sicily and Tunisia on September 4.

The vessels will then converge in the Mediterranean before attempting to reach Gaza.

Speaking ahead of his departure, Deputy Murphy said he was compelled to take part because of what he described as a worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

“The horror in Gaza is deepening day by day,” he said. “A man-made famine is killing children, while Israel bombs hospitals and assassinates journalists to prevent the truth from getting out.

“On a daily basis people are slaughtered while queueing for food. The siege must be broken and food and medical supplies must get through.”

According to Deputy Murphy, more than 28,000 people applied to join the flotilla, which he said reflected the determination of ordinary people across the globe to act where governments have failed.

“That determination of ordinary people, seen in the millions globally protesting for Palestine, contrasts sharply with the complicity of the world’s leaders,” he said.

“While they now mouth mild criticism of Israel, they continue to arm, fund and enable the genocide they are perpetrating.”

The Dublin South-West TD also criticised the Irish Government, saying that while ministers had labelled Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, they had not matched those words with action.

“Instead of doing everything possible to pressure Israel and their backers to end it, they want to water down the Occupied Territories Bill, have done nothing to stop the illegal overflight of thousands of tons of munitions through our skies to Israel, and have opposed efforts to end the Central Bank’s authorisation of the sale of Israeli war bonds in the EU,” he said.

“The people are acting because the governments are complicit,” he added.

The Global Sumud Flotilla has been organised by international solidarity groups and campaigners who say their goal is to deliver aid and draw attention to the ongoing blockade of Gaza.