Statement by Republican Sinn Féin General Secretary Josephine Hayden

“The boarding of the Turkish boat IHH and the murder of up to 18 innocent aid workers/peace activists in International waters by Israeli armed forces must be condemned unreservedly by all right thinking countries and peoples”, the General Secretary of Republican Sinn Féin, Josephine Hayden said on May 31.

“Israeli commandos attacked the convoy of aid workers in international waters without regard to international law or humanitarian principles. No amount of propaganda can hide the fact that this was cold-blooded murder carried out to further isolate the people of Gaza.

“All right-thinking countries should withdraw their diplomatic representatives immediately in protest at this war crime. We urge to the people of Ireland to show their disgust at this unwarranted attack on innocent civilian volunteers by attending protests and boycotting Israeli goods.

“The Freedom Flotilla was/is carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid, including medicines, construction materials, wood, 500 electric wheelchairs and 100 housing caravans. All the donated items will support reconstruction in Gaza after the bombardment by the rogue state of Israel in 2008/ 2009.

“Among the ships heading towards Gaza is the 1,200 tonne Irish cargo ship, the MV Rachel Corrie, which is owned by the Free Gaza Movement. The ship is carrying a cargo of cement and other vital reconstruction materials for the people of Gaza.

“This is not the first time aid convoys were attacked by Israeli forces. In June 2009 activists on board the Free Gaza Movement boat, the Spirit of Humanity, were kidnapped, arrested and deported after their boat was rammed”.

Les peuples irlandais et palestiniens sont attachés par un lien commun, en tant que nations qui ont souffert pendant des siècles sous l’oppression et l’occupation impérialiste. Ce lien qui nous attache continue d’exister, et aujourd’hui il est aussi fort que jamais. Une blessure faite à l’un est aussi ressentie par l’autre, et un coup porté pour la liberté de l’un l’est aussi pour la liberté de tous les peuples opprimés.

L’Irlande d’aujourd’hui reste divisée, les Britanniques occupant la partie nord-est de notre pays historique, alors qu’un régime fantoche contrôle le reste. Les gens de bonne volonté ne devraient pas être trompés par l’accord de Belfast qui a été signé en 1998. Cet accord était destiné à pacifier l’Irlande et à y protéger les intérêts impérialistes. Cet accord ne peut pas mener à la paix puisqu’il ne concerne en rien la cause du conflit, qui est en premier lieu l’occupation de l’Irlande par une puissance étrangère. C’est seulement lorsque l’Irlande sera libérée de l’occupation qu’il y aura une paix permanente.

Le document ‘Éire Nua’ de Republican Sinn Féin propose, après le retrait britannique, une Irlande fédérale avec un maximum de décentralisation et un Etat laïc. C’est seulement lorsque l’Irlande sera libérée de l’occupation qu’il y aura une paix permanente. Le document ‘Éire Nua’ garantit le droit de tous les citoyens de la nation de vivre dans une société juste et équitable dans laquelle le peuple irlandais soit en position de contrôler son propre destin, libre de toute interférence impérialiste étrangère. Un Etat socialiste, démocratique et fédéral est seul à même de guérir les blessures d’une société divisée et d’unir tout le peuple sous la bannière d’un seul pays, qu’il s’agisse de l’Irlande ou de la Palestine.

Nous envoyons nos salutations et nos meilleurs voeux aux prisonniers de guerre palestiniens qui sont incarcérés par l’Etat sioniste occupant. Les prisonniers de guerre républicains irlandais, captifs dans la prison de Maghaberry sont en train de livrer une lutte pour être traités en tant que prisonniers de guerre. Ce droit, qui a été gagné par le sacrifice des 10 courageux grévistes de la faim en 1981 a été retiré par le régime britannique, dans une clause du marchandage de pacification de 1998. Les républicains irlandais descendent dans les rues pour mener une campagne de protestation pour leurs prisonniers. Nous tirons de l’inspiration et de la force du peuple palestinien qui a montré une force d’âme et un courage incroyable en faisant face à un oppresseur bien plus fort matériellement.

Camarades, allez de l’avant vers la victoire car il est certain que le jour viendra où nos peuple pourrons rejoindre les nations libres du monde.

Fraternellement vôtre dans la lutte

Fergal Moore

Vice-President, Republican Sinn Féin

Le Point du Jour is a bookstore in the city-center Paris, in the quartier latin, located near the Garden of Luxembourg, in a street famous for being a hot point in the protests of may 1968.

It provides the public with thousands of books both new and second hand, about labour history, social analysis, socialist movement, and national liberation struggles. Some books about Irland can be found too.

Since May 2010, SAOIRSE is sold in this militant bookstore. The welcome is always warm, especially for the public of foreign countries.

Librairie Le Point Du Jour : 58, rue Gay Lussac

75005 Paris, France

RER station: Luxembourg

Die Celtic League schrieb am 6. April an den britischen Gefängnisminister Paul Goggins, er soll die Sorgen der Gefangenen, die zum Aufstand am 4. und 5. April im Hochsicherheitsgefängnis Maghaberry führten, ernst nehmen und genau und unabhängig untersuchen lassen.

Der Pressesprecher der Celtic League, JB Moffat, erklärte in einer Presseaussendung: „In den Nachrichten wurden Berichte über die Beschwerden von Gefangenen veröffentlicht. Wir hoffen, dass die Regierung und die Gefängnisverwaltung die ausgedrückten Sorgen vollständig und unabhängig untersuchen werden.

„Beschwerden über ‚Übergriffe’ und ‚unterdrückerische Methoden’ von Gefängniswärter gegen Insassen sind nur ein Teil der aktuellen besorgniserregenden Berichte. Daher ist es äußerste wichtig, dass diese vollständig untersucht werden, besonders im Zusammenhang mit Kommentaren des letzten Berichts CPT (Komitee zur Verhinderung von Folter des Europäischen Rats, IRC.) über die vergangenen Methoden zur Behandlung eingegangener Beschwerden“, so JB Moffat.

Solidarity greetings to the ‘2nd Haifa Conference For The Return of Palestinian Refugees and For A Democratic Secular State in Historic Palestine’ from Republican Sinn Féin in Ireland.

The Irish and Palestinian people share a common bond as nations that have for centuries suffered under imperialist occupation and oppression. This bond continues to be as strong today as it has ever been. A hurt suffered by one people is felt by the other and a blow struck for the freedom of one people is struck for the freedom of all oppressed peoples.

Ireland today remains divided with the British occupying the north eastern part of our historic country while a corrupt puppet regime controls the remainder. People of good will should not be fooled by the Belfast Agreement that was signed in 1998. This agreement was designed to pacify Ireland and to protect imperialist interests here. It cannot succeed in bringing peace to Ireland as it does not address the cause of conflict in the first place that is the occupation of Ireland by a foreign power. Only when Ireland is free of occupation will there be a permament peace. Republican Sinn Féin's ‘Éire Nua’ (A New Ireland) document proposes a federal Ireland following a British withdrawal with maximum decentralisation of power and a secular state. ‘Éire Nua’ guarantees the rights of all citizens of the nation to live in a just and equitable society where the Irish people can control their own destinies free from foreign imperialist interference. A federal, democratic and socialist state can heal the hurts of a divided society and unite all it's people under the banner of one country whether it be Irish or Palestinian.

We send greetings and best wishes to the Palestinian prisoners of war who are incarcerated by the occupying Zionist state. The Irish Republican prisoners of war who are held in Maghaberry Jail are currently involved in a struggle for the right to be treated as prisoners of war. This right which was won by the sacrifice of 10 brave men on hunger strike in 1981 has been withdrawn by the British regime as part of their pacification deal of 1998. Irish Republican people are taking to the streets to campaign and protest on behalf of the prisoners. We draw inspiration and strength from the Palestinian people who have shown incredible fortitude and courage in the face of a more physically powerful oppressor.

Onwards to victory comrades and that certain day when our peoples can join the free nations of the world.

Yours fraternally in struggle,

Fergal Moore

Vice-President, Republican Sinn Féin

Haifa – At a time when prospects for a settlement that concedes basic Palestinian rights are blocked, interest in the one democratic state solution is witnessing an unprecedented growth. Wide sectors of Palestinians, in historic Palestine and exile, have adopted it, while international support for it is increasing daily. In this context, a committed group of activists is vigorously putting the final touches on the Second Haifa Conference for the Return of the Palestinian Refugees and for the Secular Democratic State in Historic Palestine.

United against Israeli apartheid and colonialism!

The Second Haifa Conference for the Return of the Palestinian Refugees and for the Democratic Secular State in Historic Palestine (28-30 May 2010)

The goals of the conference are to:

• Raise awareness and interest in a solution based on the return of the refugees and the democratic secular state locally and internationally.

• Provide a forum for the free exchange of opinions and experiences between the supporters of the project, leading to common activities.

• Create follow-up and coordination mechanisms to build the movement.