About 40 people protested outside the German embassy in Booterstown, Dublin, on Wednesday “in solidarity” with an Irish person arrested in southern Germany for their alleged part in criminal damage at an Israeli armaments factory.
Daniel Tatlow Devally (31) was among a number of pro-Palestinian activists arrested after they allegedly stormed the offices of Elbit Systems in the city of Ulm, causing extensive damage, in early September.
The Irish citizen and other Gaza activists will learn in a week’s time whether they will stand trial for membership of a terrorist organisation in connection with an attack on the plant.
Tatlow Devally is accused of participating in a violent attack on Elbit Systems. Berlin-based Tatlow Devally has been held on remand since September 9th along with other suspects – three women and a man – from the UK, Germany and Spain.
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At an initial hearing on October 16th, charges were brought of trespassing, destruction of property and membership of a criminal organisation. On Wednesday, Stuttgart district court agreed to prolong their detention by a further week, in advance of a final ruling, after the federal prosecutor cited flight risk.
Family and friends, as well as pro-Palestine activists, gathered in Dublin on Wednesday for about an hour at the gates of the German embassy.
Some carried Palestinian flags and wore keffiyeh scarves, chanting such slogans as: “Free, free the Ulm five”; “Saoirse don Phalaistín”, and, “In our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians.”
Family friend Lynne Tracey said Tatlow Devally was being held in a cell for 23 hours a day and was permitted one 30-minute visit per fortnight.
“I knew Daniel was involved in fighting for the rights of people in Palestine. I have always supported them in that and I saw them in June briefly ... They have such a good heart and a passion and believe so deeply in what they are doing.
“I don’t understand how you can lock somebody up for 23 hours a day, including during meals, and allow just one 30-minute visit every two weeks, when all they were trying to do is save lives.”
She said she hoped the Irish Government would “put pressure, through the proper channels, to put them in more human circumstances”.
Cormac Deane, also a family friend, said it was “scary to see terrorism legislation used to criminalise protest. It’s happening in Britain. It looks like it’s happening in an EU State now too”.
Local People Before Profit councillor Melisa Halpin said it was “completely outrageous” that “someone who was protesting genocide is being locked up while the company that is delivering arms to murder and maim Palestinians is allowed to continue to operate.
“Fair play and solidarity with the people here who are protesting this. Daniel and the others should be immediately let out on bail.
“The Irish Government should be talking to their counterparts in Germany asking why on earth are these young people, particularly their Irish citizen Daniel, being held and asking that [they] be let out on bail.”
Tatlow Devally’s godfather, Alan Doherty SC, took part briefly. He said the detention was “overkill”.
German investigators allege Tatlow Devally was part of a group that, armed with axes and hatchets, smashed its way into the factory. Investigators say members of the group caused damage of around €1 million by damaging equipment, setting off smoke bombs and spray-painting the outside facade.
An unverified online video claiming to be of the attack shows a small group, some wearing keffiyeh head dress, chanting “Free Palestine” and spraying graffiti on walls. German police say they are seeking three to four other individuals in connection with the attack, which they believe is linked to the Palestine Action Germany group.
The case was transferred from local state police to federal authorities and Germany’s Centre for Security and Terrorism. The alleged September break-in came after months of protest at a nearby camp at the firm’s supply of equipment used by the Israeli military in its war in Gaza.
Last August about 30 protesters blocked entry to the Ulm facility and demanded its closure and an end to German trade with the company, including German military communications equipment.
Palestine Action is a loose network of organisations worldwide that advocates direct action against companies it says supply arms and components to Israel.
A co-founder of the British wing, Richard Barnard, has urged demonstrators at UK rallies to attack Israeli-owned arms factories as a “sacrifice for Palestine”. About 450 people were arrested in August at a London demonstration organised by the local Palestine Action group, proscribed there as a terrorist organisation and supported financially by Irish writer Sally Rooney.
