Nobel Peace Laureate still imprisoned by Israel

by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire is still imprisoned by Israel and awaiting deportation from the country.

Maguire was arrested after landing at an airport in Tel Aviv. Israeli security officials said that Maguire was arrested and is facing deportation for taking part in the Freedom Flotilla that was heading to Gaza to break the Israeli siege.

She will challenge the deportation order during a hearing at a Tel Aviv Court on Friday.

In June, Maguire was on board the Rachel Corrie solidarity ship, one of many ships part of the Freedom Flotilla that was heading to the besieged Gaza Strip to deliver medical and humanitarian supplies.

The Israeli army violently attacked that Mavi Marmara Turkish aid ship, part of the Freedom Flotilla, killing nine Turkish peace activists.

Israel Detains, Denies Entry to Nobel Laureate, Mairead Maguire

Wednesday September 29, 2010 - 08:11

The Israeli Authorities detained Tuesday Irish Nobel Prize laureate, Mairead Maguire, at the Ben-Gurion International Airport, and refused to allow her into the country.

In 1967, Maguire was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work against sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. The Nobel Prize was awarded to her and to Betty Williams.

She flew to Israel on Tuesday morning after a flight from Frankfurt – Germany.

The Nobel Prize laureate was accompanied by a peace delegation of women, including five other Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

Israel previously issued a permanent order banning Maguire from entering the country for her participating in solidarity flotillas sending humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.

She was one of the human rights activists who were on the “Rachel Corrie” solidarity ship that was seized by Israel in May this year.

Judy Williams, an American Nobel Prize recipient, who intended to be part of the delegation with Maguire, stated that preventing entry to Maguire is of a great concern to the people who dedicate their lives for peace.

“The people who dedicate their lives to peace should not be considered a threat to security”, Williams said.

Two years ago, Maguire voiced a sharp criticism to Israel for ignoring all international community resolutions calling for ending Israel’s occupation in Palestine. She also called for removing Israel from the United Nations for its ongoing violations to Human Rights.

Update: 3rd October - An appeal by Irish Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Maguire against her deportation orders over entering Israel has been rejected by a court.