Irish Airport & US Deportation Flights to Israel – Controversy

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DUBLIN, February 6, 2026 – Irish politicians are voicing strong objections to the use of Shannon Airport in County Clare as a refueling stop for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flights deporting Palestinian detainees to Israel, calling the practice “reprehensible.”

Deportation Flights Spark Outrage in Ireland

A private jet linked to a prominent Donald Trump donor transported Palestinian detainees from the U.S. to israel, raising questions about Ireland’s role in the controversial deportations.

• A private jet owned by Gil Dezer, a donor to donald Trump, was chartered by ICE for two deportation flights.
• The flights, on January 21 and February 1, stopped at Shannon Airport in western Ireland for refueling.
• Irish opposition politicians have condemned the use of Shannon Airport for these deportations.
• Detainees reported being shackled during the flights and subsequently transported to the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

What is the controversy surrounding the flights? The flights have ignited a political firestorm in Ireland, with opposition leaders accusing the government of complicity in what they describe as cruel and inhumane deportations.

The flights involved a private jet owned by Gil Dezer, whose family company has developed trump-branded residential towers in Miami. Dezer has publicly expressed his “love” for the former U.S. president and claims a 20-year friendship. The jet was chartered by ICE for two separate flights that departed the U.S. on January 21 and February 1, both making refueling stops at shannon Airport.

Passengers on board the flights reported being restrained with shackles on their wrists and ankles throughout the journey. Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, they were reportedly taken to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Maher Awad, 24, originally from the West Bank and a resident of the U.S. for nearly a decade, described being “dropped off like animals on the side of the road” after landing.

The Irish government maintains that as the flights were for “non-traffic purposes” – meaning they didn’t pick up or drop off passengers in Ireland – they didn’t require prior approval from the transport department.

Though, this description has failed to quell the concerns of opposition politicians. Duncan Smith, foreign affairs spokesperson for the Labor party, 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 added, “Ireland cannot in any way be complicit in these ICE flights.”

Roderic O’Gorman, leader of the Green party, described the situation as “deeply disturbing,” noting that Shannon airport is being used to “facilitate the