The continued detention of the Socialist Party MEP Paul Murphy and the other activists from the MV Saoirse and the Tahrir continued into its fourth day. They were brought before a judge today in accordance with Israeli law, but were returned to their cells as their detention continues.
This continued, unjust, detention follows the pattern of bad treatment which the activists have faced since their ship was illegally boarded in international waters. The ship was boarded in such a manner as to put their lives at risk, passengers were tasered. On arriving in prison their right to a phone call within 24 hours was ignored, as well as them being targeted in a campaign of sleep deprivation.
Their continued detention and the treatment which they have received is politically motivated. The Israeli regime is clearly intent on punishing these activists as severely as possible to deter any further attempts to break the blockade of Gaza.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore must step forward and demand the immediate release of all the kidnapped activists. The Israeli Ambassador to Ireland should be expelled immediately for his state’s role in the abduction and continued detention of the Flotilla crew.
Sacked Belfast Airport Workers
Working class needs its own party
Alasdair McDonnell,leader of the SDLP decided to start the year by flying in the faces of ordinary workingclass people who are struggling to make ends meet. McDonnell claimed that as an MLA, “you could findyourself at 57 or 58 years of age left on the street...if there was a reasonably generous sliding exit and some sort of a pension provisionthere, that would make sure they weren’t landed in poverty?”.
The anti-trade union laws are important weapons in the bosses' armoury. Business secretary Vince Cable has threatened this week to make the laws even tougher, in the light of coordinated strike action against the cuts. These laws can be used to intimidate workers, prevent strikes and sack striking workers. They can also act as a shield for some reluctant trade union officials who are only too happy to drag out the process of organising official action until the mood for action has died down.