Human Rights Cases

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 April 2017

Wednesday, 5 April 2017

Questions (251)

Seán Crowe

Question:

251. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied), the leader of the non-violent Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, was arrested by the Israeli authorities only days before travelling to the USA to receive the Gandhi Peace Award; that his arrest includes a travel ban (details supplied); and if he will raise this case with the Israeli authorities. [16971/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The difficulties experienced by this person have been discussed on a number of occasions here in the Dáil, and the European Union has previously made representations on his behalf with the Israeli authorities.

On this occasion he has been arrested on suspicion of tax evasion, and it is a condition of his bail that he remain in the country.

There is growing concern about the increasing use of political and legal pressure in Israel to hinder the work of activists and NGOs who are critical of occupation policies, and in particular advocates of BDS. However, I have no basis on which to query the accusation made in this case. My Department will nonetheless remain alert to the case as it proceeds.