I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 21 and 35 together.
I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputies. Hana Shalabi was released last October as part of the prisoner exchange deal concluded between the Israeli government and Hamas for the release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. She had spent over two years in administrative detention by the time of her release. She was re-arrested on 16 February and immediately commenced a hunger strike.
Ms Shalabi was transferred over a week ago to an Israeli civilian hospital due to her deteriorating health. I am very concerned that her hunger strike has reached the point that her health is being jeopardised. While visits by her lawyer and family were suspended following her transfer to the civilian hospital, I understand her lawyer has visited this week, and I urge that her family be allowed to visit her as soon as possible.
At my request, the Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv has raised Ms. Shalabi's case with the Israeli authorities and has urged steps be taken to reach a resolution which would allow Ms. Shalabi to end her hunger strike. The EU Delegation in Tel Aviv will also raise and express concern regarding Ms. Shalabi's case with the Israeli authorities and urge a resolution which averts her continued hunger strike.
I have made my views regarding administrative detention very clear in this House. I recognise that States facing serious threat sometimes have to enact emergency powers. But such powers should be limited as much as possible, carefully safeguarded and in accordance with international law. I do not accept that it is compatible with international law to detain a person for a prolonged period, or repeatedly renew a detention order, without a case coming to trial.
Ireland and our EU Partners have been active for some time in raising the practice of administrative detention and urging the Israeli authorities to move away from and end its use. Such representations appear to have had some effect, with the overall numbers in administrative detention falling considerably in recent years. We will continue to press on this issue as well as on the specific case of Ms Shalabi.