'Send her home': fears for Irish activist held in Israel

The son of a 70-year-old Irish woman currently in Israeli detention has pleaded for her release amid concerns over his mother’s health.

- ALEX CROFT

Deirdre Murphy, who has eight grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren, was detained in the recently demolished West Bank village of Khalet al-Daba’a. According to the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), she has not been provided legal counsel since Monday.

Ms Murphy, who is originally from Cork and now based in Swansea, was arrested alongside 48-year-old Swedish national Susanne Björk, who claimed to The Independent that the pair had to “fight to even be allowed to go to the toilet” during their detention.

“Who doesn’t allow a 70-year-old woman to go to the toilet? It’s certainly not something a democratic country would be doing,” said UK resident Ms Björk, who has already been deported from Israel. Israeli police did not address this claim when approached by The Independent.

Ms Björk said allegations by Israeli police that they had failed to show their IDs and were in a prohibited area were false. International and local activists have been stationed in Khalet alDaba’a since its demolition on 5 May in an attempt to prevent nearby Israeli settlers from damaging the remaining buildings.

After refusing to leave Israel voluntarily, Ms Murphy and Ms Björk were arrested and told they would be deported. Ms Murphy decided to challenge the deportation order.

Dale Ryan, Ms Murphy’s son, has called on Israeli authorities to “treat her with dignity and respect” while she is in detention – and pleaded with authorities to “send her home quickly”.