Foreign Conflicts.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004

Wednesday, 19 May 2004

Questions (100, 101)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

91 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the assassination of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14501/04]

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

93 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with the Israeli authorities the assassination by Israeli Defence Forces of the Hamas leader, Dr. Abdul Azis al Rantissi and the targeted killing of other Palestinian leaders; the response he has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14564/04]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 93 together.

I condemned the killing of Dr. Rantissi in a statement on 18 April in which I also condemned a suicide bombing at the Erez crossing. I pointed out that extra-judicial killings are contrary to international law and that respect for international law should mark an important distinction between democratically elected Governments and terrorist groups. I reiterated these points to the Foreign Minister of Israel, Mr. Silvan Shalom, at our bilateral meeting in Dublin during the Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers' meeting on 5 May. I pointed out that Ireland's abhorrence of extra-judicial killings was not a policy directed at Israel, but was universal. I said that this was the established position of the European Union. Foreign Minister Shalom defended the practice and claimed that Israeli actions had a legal justification — a position which I do not accept.

Question No. 92 answered with QuestionNo. 62.

Question No. 93 answered with QuestionNo. 91.