Brewster resident Joseph Bangert said an aide from Senator John F. Kerry’s office told him yesterday that his son, Fiachra Ó Luain, was "seriously injured’’ in the bloody confrontation between Israeli soldiers and pro-Palestinian activists aboard the ships trying to bring aid to the Gaza Strip.
"The irony did not escape me," he said. "It is Memorial Day. I am a Vietnam veteran, and my first thought is to whether my son, a peace activist, survived an attack by the Israeli army."
"I'm scared for Fiachra, but I am also proud of him. My son is heroic," he said.
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Fiachra Ó Luain, 27, was originally reported to be among the dozens injured when Israeli commandos stormed a peace flotilla in international waters about 80 miles off the Gaza strip. The flotilla was trying to get supplies to Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade imposed after Hamas grabbed power in Gaza in 2007.
What I find very strange is that Mr. Bangert saw his son on a video online, and he was walking on his own and appeared unwounded. His son was detained by Israeli forces and is now reported to be seriously hurt. When was he seriously injured? On board the ship or after his detention?
Mr. Bangert heard from witnesses that the activists defended themselves only after the Israelis started shooting.
What is our government doing to safeguard Americans and children of Americans who have been detained? What is being done to make sure that this attack in international waters against an unarmed ship, bringing humanitarian supplies, is being fully investigated?
"These commandos dropped onto the ship from a helicopter in the cover of darkness and began firing at sleeping people," Bangert said he was told.
"These were people bringing cement, wheelchairs and medical supplies. How much of a threat are peace activists carrying wheelchairs?" he said.
What amazes me is that Mr. Bangert can't speak to his son,
"because the Israelis have blocked all communication."
This is a Viet Nam vet! He isn't allowed to talk to his son?!
Ó Luain, an Irishman, ran for European Parliament, but lost. According to his dad, Fintan Lane and Shane Dillon, both of Ireland, were also aboard the flotilla.
Ó Luain visits his dad on Cape Cod twice a year and considers it as a second home.