Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 May 1992

Vol. 419 No. 1

Written Answers. - Israeli University.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

159 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he will raise the injustice to the Palestinians of the continued closure of the Bir Zeit University in the occupied territories with the Israeli authorities; and if he will further attempt to seek a common EC stand on the issue.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

It has been widely reported that Bir Zeit University is in the process of reopening. The Israeli authorities announced last month that classes in the science and engineering departments of the university were about to recommence and that other departments would reopen during the summer term.

Ireland and its partners in the European Community made representations to the Israeli authorities, both in December 1991 and in February of this year, in order to make clear the importance the Twelve attached to seeing the university reopen. We welcome these recent indications concerning the reopening of the university and hope that it will be fully reopened by the Israeli authorities at the earliest possible date.