Foreign Conflicts.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 February 2005

Wednesday, 2 February 2005

Questions (98)

John Gormley

Question:

130 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights report for the week 13 to 20 January 2005, which stated that eight Palestinians, five of whom were civilians, including two children and an elderly woman, were killed and at least 20 others injured by the Israeli Defence Forces in Palestinian territories; his views on whether these actions are consistent with the human rights obligations of the Israeli Government under Article 2 of the Association Agreement between Israel and the European Union; his further views on whether the Israel versus Ireland match scheduled for 26 March 2005 and the Ireland versus Israel match on 4 June 2005 should be called off in view of continued human rights abuses in the Palestinian territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2804/05]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

I am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers. The Government, in common with its EU partners, has repeatedly called for all parties to bring an end to the cycle of violence. The Government has consistently condemned all attacks aimed at civilians, including the continuing rocket attacks carried out by Hamas against Israelis. Equally, I have condemned the disproportionate and sometimes indiscriminate nature of the Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip which have claimed the lives of many innocent civilians, including children, and left many injured.

The provisions of Article 2 of the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel reinforce obligations which already fall to the signatories with respect to human rights. The question of whether Israel has fully lived up to its obligations under this article is a subject for regular discussion at the meetings of the EU-Israel Association Council.

The Government has given no consideration to the question of whether it would be appropriate to cancel the football matches to which the Deputy refers. I very much doubt that such a gesture would do anything to increase Ireland's influence over the actions of the Israeli defence forces. It would almost certainly lead to Ireland's elimination from the FIFA World Cup competition.