Written answers

Wednesday, 2 July 2014

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Middle East Issues

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

37. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made representations to the Israeli Government on the matter of the Israeli Defence Forces operation in the occupied Palestinian territories following the abduction of three young settlers near Hebron; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28239/14]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I refer the deputy to my reply to Question no. 32 on the same topic, which was as follows:

“The disappearance of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank on 12 June understandably aroused great public anxiety and concern. I condemned this abduction and called for the urgent release of the three teenagers and their safe return to their families. The finding on Monday of the bodies of the three missing youths has sadly ended all such hopes. I have issued a statement on behalf of the Government condemning the killings and extending our sympathies to the bereaved families. There is no excuse for such actions. I know Deputies will share those sentiments.

Israeli security forces launched extensive actions in Palestinian areas, seeking to locate the missing teenagers, but also striking at individuals or structures linked with Hamas, who they have claimed were responsible. In these operations, some hundreds of Palestinians have been detained, and perhaps as many as six have been killed. Some of those killed may have been engaged in protests, but none were alleged to be involved in the abductions.

Such heavy handed measures, whatever the reasoning behind them, run the risk of proving counterproductive. It should be noted that President Abbas and the Palestinian authorities clearly condemned the abductions, and have expressed their regret over the deaths of the youths. Palestinian security forces actively assisted in searching for them, and indeed it was Palestinian police who first raised the alarm over their disappearance. Such cooperation is difficult to sustain alongside widespread and excessive use of force against Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces.

It is deeply saddening that this episode has ended in this way. I call on all authorities to act in a responsible way so that there is no further loss of life.”
As I have stated in that reply, I consider the reaction of the Israeli security forces in response to have been, in some respects, counterproductive. I hope the Israeli authorities will take note of that.

But to seek to admonish them directly on this basis, at a time when they were still searching for three abducted teenagers, amid great public anxiety, or now when they are mourning a tragic loss, would itself be counterproductive in another sense, and I have not done so.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.