Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will consider proposing the suspension by the EU of its association agreement with Israel, based on the human rights clause (details supplied). [25315/04]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Suspension of the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement with Israel is not on the agenda. Consensus within the European Union would be required for such a step. This would not be forthcoming.

The argument has also been made that that such action could have undesirable consequences such as undercutting the role of the EU in the peace process and creating difficulties in implementing our programmes of assistance to the Palestinian Authority.

Furthermore, meetings of the Association Council with Israel provide the opportunity for the EU to highlight its concerns to the Israeli authorities on the human rights implications of its security policies. Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement reinforces obligations which already fall to the signatories with respect to human rights.