Irish Politicians Condemn Use of Shannon Airport for US Deportation Flights to Israel
Politicians in Ireland have strongly criticised the use of Shannon Airport in County Clare for refuelling stops by planes deporting Palestinians from the United States to Israel, describing the practice as "reprehensible" and "deeply disturbing". The controversy follows a Guardian investigation revealing that a private jet owned by Donald Trump donor Gil Dezer was chartered by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for two separate deportation flights to Israel.
Flights and Refuelling Stops
The flights departed the United States on 21 January and 1 February, both making refuelling stops at Shannon Airport in western Ireland. According to the Irish government, as the flights stopped for "non-traffic purposes" and were "not picking up or setting down passengers", they did not require prior approval from the transport department. However, opposition politicians have raised significant concerns about Ireland's potential complicity in these operations.
Political Reactions and Demands
Duncan Smith, foreign affairs spokesperson for the Labour party in Ireland, stated: "It is absolutely reprehensible that any ICE deportation flights would be allowed stop and refuel in Shannon. The taoiseach and minister for transport must intervene and ensure this ends." He emphasised that "Ireland cannot in any way be complicit in these ICE flights."
Roderic O'Gorman, leader of the Green party, expressed that learning "Shannon is being used to facilitate the cruel actions of Donald Trump's ICE" was "deeply disturbing". Patricia Stephenson, foreign affairs spokesperson for the Social Democrats, called for a government statement on whether it knowingly facilitated these flights, suggesting the human rights of those onboard had been violated.
Dezer's Jet and Deportation Practices
Gil Dezer's private jet, which he has described as his "favourite toy", was chartered via Journey Aviation, a Florida-based company regularly used by US authorities to source private jets. According to Human Rights First, the aircraft has been used for removal flights since last October, transporting detainees to various destinations including Kenya, Liberia, Guinea, and Eswatini before the recent trips to Israel.
Dezer, whose family property company has built Trump-branded residential towers in Miami, claimed in an email to the Guardian that he was "never privy to the names" of those onboard when his jet was chartered or the purpose of the flights. He did not respond to further questions about the use of his jet by the Trump administration to deport Palestinians through Israel.
Conditions and Aftermath
Some detainees onboard the flights reported being shackled at the wrists and ankles for the entire journey. After arriving at Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, they appear to have been taken to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. One deportee, Maher Awad, 24, who had lived in the US for nearly a decade and has a partner and baby in Michigan, described being "dropped off like animals on the side of the road" and seeking help from local residents.
Costs and Official Statements
Aviation industry sources estimate the flights would have cost ICE between $400,000 and $500,000. A spokesperson for the US Department of Homeland Security did not address specific questions about the deportation flights to Israel but stated: "If a judge finds an illegal alien has no right to be in this country, we are going to remove them. Period."
The ongoing debate highlights tensions between immigration enforcement practices and international human rights concerns, with Irish politicians urging their government to take a stand against facilitating such operations through Irish territory.
