Foreign Conflicts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2016

Tuesday, 28 June 2016

Questions (323)

Seán Crowe

Question:

323. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that the Israeli non-governmental organisation B’Tselem has announced that it will no longer refer cases of alleged abuse to the Israeli military for disciplinary action that it has said co-operation with the military investigation and enforcement systems has not achieved justice but lent legitimacy to the occupation regime and helped whitewash it; his views on this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18224/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland has long been concerned about the growing frequency of the use of force, including lethal force, by Israeli security forces in non-life-threatening situations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and by an evident lack of accountability in relation to incidents involving the security forces. The same behaviours are not seen where the security forces are engaged in similar circumstances with Israeli citizens.

We have expressed these concerns both directly to the Israeli authorities and in EU discussions on the situation. Ireland also supports a number of Israeli and Palestinian NGOs active on cases of injustice and abuses. It is a matter of concern that B’Tselem, a highly respected Israeli NGO, has to conclude that it is wasting its time in bringing complaints to the authorities about instances of abuse.

I call clearly for the Israeli authorities to ensure that the same standards of rules of engagement and accountability apply whenever the security forces are engaged with civilians, Israeli or Palestinian.