UPDATE: People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has urged supporters to “rise up against the terrorist state of Israel globally” following his release from Egyptian custody.
In a video statement published this morning, the Dublin South-West TD said all Irish participants in the Global March to Gaza had now been freed by Egyptian authorities. He also alleged that “thousands” of others remained detained or had been subjected to violence.
“Thankfully all the Irish participants in the Global March to Gaza have now been released,” he said.
“That’s not the case for everybody. Some of the thousands of others were subject to significant violence by the police. I witnessed some of it myself, and some people are still detained.”
Murphy, who was detained earlier this week during an attempted entry into Gaza via Egypt, thanked those who had campaigned for his release.
“Thanks a million for all the support we had last night,” he said.
“People contacting the government, making noise and putting pressure on. Hopefully that did contribute to us being released.”
He reiterated his support for the march’s core objective, describing the situation in Gaza as “forced starvation.”
“Our focus remains on calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza and the forced starvation of the people in Gaza,” he said.
“Half a million people on the verge of death now due to Israel not allowing in basically any food, water or medical supplies since March.”
Murphy described Israel’s actions in the region as “disgusting, outrageous behaviour.”
He also accused the Israeli government of a recent “terrorist attack on Iran.”
Despite the detention by Egyptian forces, Murphy said the Global March to Gaza would continue.
“We’re continuing on our mission,” he said.
He ended the statement with a direct call for international mobilisation.
“We just urge everybody to rise up for Palestine,” he said.
“Rise up against the terrorist state of Israel globally. Thanks.”
Murphy was detained on Friday alongside a group of international activists near a hostel in Egypt. The group, estimated to include around 50 people, had been travelling to the Rafah border crossing as part of a planned 48-kilometre march through the Sinai desert.
Earlier audio messages from Murphy described how Egyptian authorities confiscated his passport and phone and attempted to force the group onto a bus for deportation. Murphy claimed the action had been taken at the request of the Israeli government.
A video from the scene showed participants chanting “Free, free Palestine” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
In a statement at the time, People Before Profit said: “Paul Murphy Detained in Egypt in Rafah Group – People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy among a group detained by Egyptian authorities while travelling to Rafah. Contact embassy now.”
The wider Global March to Gaza involves around 3,000 participants from several countries, aiming to draw attention to the ongoing blockade of Gaza and call for increased humanitarian aid access.
Loading ...