Vol. 714 No. 4
32 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he has had with the Israeli Ambassador following the interception in international waters of an international flotilla destined for Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29617/10]
33 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has sought, or received any communication from the United Nations relief and Works ASgency regarding the position on the delivery of essential building items for housing and other infrastructure to the people of Gaza [29658/10]
64 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is seeking the return of vessels and property of Irish citizens seized in international waters by Israeli forces [29667/10]
75 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the request by Israel to the UN to shelve plans for an international independent investigation into Israel’s interception of a humanitarian aid flotilla en route to Gaza which led to the death of nine activists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29583/10]
88 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding his calls for an independent international investigation into events surrounding the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza; if he is working to ensure that a credible investigation will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29645/10]
384 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent Israeli attacks on an aid ship bound for Gaza on which Irish citizens were onboard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27876/10]
397 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which it is expected to achieve progress in the issues arising from the destruction of Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30179/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 33, 64, 75, 88, 384 and 397, together.
I reported to the House on 1 June 2010 on my reaction to the events of 31 May 2010 involving the killing of nine Turkish citizens on board the MV Mavi Marmara. This vessel was part of an international flotilla heading for Gaza. The Government at its meeting that morning condemned the killings and expressed its condolences to the Turkish Government. I conveyed my condemnation of these events to the ambassador of Israel when I called him in to my Department on 31 May, which I then reported in detail to the Dáil.
In the days following, we remained in close contact with the Israeli authorities both through the Israeli embassy to Ireland and our own embassy in Tel Aviv. Our priority concerns at that point were consular access to the Irish citizens detained from the flotilla, their immediate and unconditional release and also the safety of the further group of Irish citizens on the MV Rachel Corrie, which was then still approaching Gaza.
The MVRachel Corrie was intercepted on 5 June and taken into the Israeli port of Ashdod. On this occasion, thankfully, there was no violence. The detainees from the flotilla were all released and deported. I had the opportunity to meet several of them on their return and hear their account of events. I was impressed by their sincerity and the absolute commitment to peaceful expression of their views on the Gaza blockade.
I have called for a credible international investigation of Israel's unacceptable interception in international waters of a humanitarian aid convoy, an operation which resulted in nine deaths. I fully support the UN Secretary General's proposal for an international investigation which, I believe, has the best chance of gaining international acceptance. It is the best proposal on the table. I hope it will be pursued and that pressure to withdraw it will be resisted.
There are several outstanding issues which the Government is pursuing or where we are providing assistance to those involved with the Gaza flotilla. The UN has agreed terms with Israel for the carriage into Gaza of most of the cargo from the initial group of boats seized. Some of that cargo has already been moved into Gaza and distributed. It is hoped that a similar agreement can be reached for the cargo of the MV Rachel Corrie, although this has not been finalised yet. We are also awaiting the return of some or all of the personal effects of the Irish citizens detained. We will be pursuing further the allegations of ill treatment of some of those detained.
The release of the ships themselves is likely to be a longer term issue, particularly if, as seems likely, there are further such sailings in the coming weeks. I have stated clearly, however, that I consider that the ships should be returned to their owners.
The background to all these events is the blockade of Gaza, which I have consistently opposed and condemned over a long period. My Department is in regular contact with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency about the situation on the ground, and I have often drawn attention to the urgent need to allow reconstruction materials into the territory.
In the aftermath of the tragic events of 31 May, there has at last emerged a general consensus that the blockade cannot go on as it has done. Under pressure from the international community, especially the UN, the United States and the Quartet representative Tony Blair, Israel has agreed to some easing of the restrictions on Gaza, while retaining the right to inspect goods entering the territory. The list of excluded items was published yesterday; in general, restrictions on all purely civilian goods have been removed. However, the new Israeli provisions allow only for supervised transfer of building and reconstruction materials to the UN for use on agreed Palestinian Authority-approved work, including infrastructure and repair of housing. I continue to argue strongly that there should be no restrictions on construction materials required for the building or repair of schools, homes or hospitals. We will be monitoring closely how this works in practice, as well as the practical impact of these measures on the lives of the people of Gaza.
The Minister's discussions with the Israeli ambassador appear to have dealt only with the flotilla. Did he also discuss the issue of passports? Today's news of the partial lifting of the blockade is welcome. It will allow more humanitarian aid, which is badly needed, into Gaza. The Minister was in Gaza previously. Will he return there as one of the foreign Ministers who will supervise this?
The Minister answered a question about the Rachel Corrie. I appreciate that the issue is complicated, but how soon would the Minister expect the ship to be out of the dock?
Did the Minister bring up, in his discussion with the Israeli ambassador, the issue of settlements in the West Bank? I understand the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, and the US President, Mr. Obama, are discussing that today. Given that the freeze on the construction of settlements in the West Bank is due to expire in September, did they discuss the possibility of an extension?
The meeting I had with the ambassador was specifically about the flotilla. I had earlier meetings, as the Deputy knows, with regard to the issue of Irish passports being used in an assassination in Dubai. I reported that to the House and there was considerable debate about it. I have had frequent discussions with the Israeli ambassador over the last number of months on different but related issues, and I have raised the issue of settlement in the context of those discussions. It is our view that Israeli policy, particularly in more recent times, has undermined the voice of moderation, particularly in the Arab world and among Palestinians. This has in many ways been counter-productive in terms of obtaining a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict and is slowing down the momentum behind proximity talks and full direct talks. I have made those points repeatedly to the ambassador and will continue to do so.
I was the first European Minister to go into Gaza following the Israeli decision not to allow Ministers in through its borders. With regard to suggestions in the last couple of days that there could be a further visit by EU Ministers to Gaza, I welcome any visit by EU Ministers, but the terms of the visit must be correct. We must be cautious about how such visits occur. I am all in favour of it because the more people who go in, the more the issue is highlighted and the higher its profile.
My question, No. 33, specifically asked about communication the Minister may have had from UNRWA, which is responsible for the repair and building of houses and the distribution of aid. To put it bluntly, I am interested in the report that may exist or had been sought from John Ging and his staff on whether changes had in fact taken place to enable the import of materials for the repair and building of houses.
I welcome the fact that the Minister is holding out for a full international inquiry; this has my support. My understanding is that some of the arrangements for the distribution of the cargo of the Rachel Corrie have broken down. This is being handled by the UN mission in Jerusalem, where we are represented. What is the position on the delivery of the complete cargo and the arrangement of its distribution with UNRA?
I also wish to mention issues arising with regard to personal property, namely, the large number of vessels that are in Ashdod at present. What mechanisms does the Minister envisage for the return of property to those who had it taken from them on the high seas, including the vessels in which they were sailing?
The Deputy and I are of similar mind in terms of what needs to happen with regard to the blockade. There was an interesting article in the International Herald Tribune yesterday which pointed out some obvious consequences of the blockade, that is, the complete destruction of the private sector in Gaza——
——and its semi-replacement by business elements under the control of Hamas.
A black economy.
It defies any logic. People who had a long history of trade with Israel were completely undermined. There is a prospect of developing employment again in Gaza if the private sector is allowed to operate. That is something I will be pushing. I met business people in Gaza at the time and they articulated this point of view to me. They had been wiped out by the blockade.
And they were doing business with Israel.
That is the funny thing about it.
It is difficult to comprehend.
The Rachel Corrie was not under Irish ownership as such. The UN began by moving the cargo from the initial group of ships, with the exception of one ship whose owners have not yet agreed to the terms agreed by the UN with the Israeli authorities. The consideration of the cargo of the Rachel Corrie was delayed while this first group was dealt with. We believe the Free Gaza Movement is broadly ready to accept the terms involved. It was thought agreement was imminent last week, but this has not yet been finalised. It may have something to do with the UN’s capacity to handle more material at present. We are continuing to make inquiries in this regard to make sure it happens.
On the return of the vessels, the Turkish Government is in discussion with Israel on a number of critical issues, including this one. It is likely that any solution applying to Turkish ships will also apply to the ships as a whole. The Turkish ships involved were both Turkish-owned and sailing under the Turkish flag. The Rachel Corrie was not sailing under the Irish flag and it is unclear whether it is actually Irish-owned. I met with some of the crew and we will pursue issues on their behalf.
Deputy Timmins.
I am sorry; I wish to make one final point that may prevent further questions on the issue of property raised by Deputy Higgins.
The large number of persons aboard the first group of ships detained left their personal belongings on board. These were not returned to them individually when they were deported. Instead, the luggage was sent en masse by aeroplane to Istanbul with the deportees. Israel says all of the luggage was sent. In Istanbul, some but not all of the Irish citizens were able to locate their luggage. However, there remains some confusion because of the large amount of luggage that was moved. The embassy in Ankara is assisting in identifying personal belongings, but this is obviously not an easy task. Those on board the Rachel Corrie took their own luggage off the ship and brought it with them when they were deported. Cameras, telephones and other electronic equipment were confiscated from both groups of detainees; most of this has not yet been returned. One citizen has provided my Department with a list of missing items, on which we will follow up with the Israeli authorities.
I welcome the Minister's condemnation of the killing of members of the flotilla and the fact that he protested to the Israeli ambassador and sympathised with the Turkish ambassador. He stated that he had met some members of the flotilla. One of these was Mr. Ó Luain, whose passport, I am given to understand, was confiscated by the Israeli authorities. Can the Minister confirm whether this is the case? If it is, it was an outrageous act. What has happened Mr. Ó Luain's passport? Has it been returned or has the Minister made any inquiries about it?
We are following up any allegations of ill treatment towards Irish citizens.
Have there been many allegations?
There have been approximately two allegations, but I will come back to the Deputy with the specific number. We have met one of the individuals and are pursuing that allegation, including the issue of the passport.
Was the passport taken?
I will come back to the Deputy on that.
I too welcome the relaxing of the blockade to a degree, but a number of materials are still restricted. Does the Minister regard the action of attacking and confiscating the boats and personal effects of people and retaining them as an act of piracy? Would he also agree that the international outcry and increased boycott and divestment are the real reasons behind the Israeli move to relax the blockade? If so, will the Minister reconsider his policy on boycott, divestment and sanctions as this seems to have a greater effect on making Israel move on an issue it has not previously moved on.
I believe the ill-conceived strategy of dealing with the flotilla by military means ultimately had the effect of undermining the blockade and that the unacceptable killings and tragic deaths that resulted changed the entire situation. International pressure and reaction to the military attack on the flotilla was such that it rendered the policy of the blockade unsustainable. International pressure certainly intensified in the aftermath of the attack on the MV Mavi Marmara. I believe that is the fundamental reason we see a change with regard to the blockade.
I acknowledge the progress made to date. Has it been possible for the Minister and his EU colleagues to get greater consensus towards continuous positive pressure for a resolution of the current and fundamental problems in that area, particularly with regard to the need to be able to report positive progress on an ongoing basis?
Notwithstanding the different emphases and perspectives across the European Union with regard to the Middle East, the conclusions arrived at last December under the Swedish Presidency were strong and robust and form a basis for consensus across the Union and a platform for action on the issue. The issue remains on the agenda on a continuing basis because of events. The European Union welcomes the initial prioritisation by President Obama's Administration of the Middle Eastern question and, in particular, the appointment of Mr. George Mitchell as peace envoy. Everybody has been frustrated by the slow progress on starting up proximity talks. The European Union remains and will remain committed to the issue in terms of resources allocated to the Palestinian Authority and the Administration led by Prime Minister Fayyad. We must keep pursuing the fundamental issues, as articulated in the December conclusions.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
