Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
36. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the remarks by Israeli Interior Minister, Eli Yishai, that the goal of Israel’s recent military action against Gaza was to send Gaza back to the Middle Ages; and if he has raised the issue with the Israeli authorities and his colleagues in the European Union. [1661/13]
View answerI am aware of the comments referred to. Minister Yishai is a member of a small ultra-religious party. He does not have responsibility within the Israeli Government for Israeli foreign or defence policy. Nor is he a member of the Cabinet subcommittee which decides on security issues. While remarks such as these are clearly unhelpful and provocative, and serve merely to inflame thinking in both communities, they do not constitute official Israeli Government policy and in my view do not merit a response. This is also the view taken by Ireland’s EU and other international partners.
