'Release Irish In Gaza Raid': Martin

Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs has renewed his earlier call for the release of eight Irish citizens, currently being held by Isreali commandos after a raid on a flotilla taking aid into Gaza.

The call was made after it emerged the Turkish Government is to send three aircraft into Israel to repatriate 20 of its citizens who were wounded when the Israeli commandos stormed the ship.

The UN Security Council condemned the killing of at least nine people - thought to be Turkish citizens - during the initial attack.

Minister Michael Martin (pictured) reiterated his call for the immediate release of the Irish citizens saying he had met the Israeli Ambassador yesterday evening, making clear the Irish Government expected "the immediate and unconditional release of all the Irish citizens detained".

"The seven individuals concerned did not enter Israel illegally, rather they were essentially seized from international waters, taken into Israel and asked to sign documents confirming that they entered illegally. This is simply not acceptable," Mr Martin said.

He added: "I would note that the UN Security Council, in a presidential statement issued earlier today, has called for the immediate release of all the ships and citizens detained by the Israeli authorities. Israel needs to listen to and act in accordance with the united voice of the international community on this issue."

Mr Martin also claimed the Israeli government was in breach of the Vienna Convention, which codifies diplomatic relations and privileges, by refusing to allow the access to the Irish being held as provided by the convention.

Minister Martin concluded: "I will be reporting to the Government later this morning on my meeting yesterday meeting with the Israeli Ambassador and on the measures which my Department is taking to secure the immediate and unconditional release of those Irish citizens detained by Israel."

The initial raid was initiated as part of Israel's ongoing blockade around the disputed territory of Gaza. Four of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council have since called for the blockade to be lifted, apart from the US.

(DW/GK)