Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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590. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a law passed by the Israeli Government which will ban entry of foreigners who call for the boycott of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13232/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Every country has of course the right to determine for itself the conditions for entry to its territory. Nonetheless I consider that the recent Israeli law on visa restrictions, which was strongly opposed by many parties in the Knesset, is deeply regrettable and unjust. It aims to exclude people on the basis of their having expressed non-violent political opinions, and is cast in the broadest and most general terms, which could apply to very large numbers of people. It is akin to earlier legislation which used the same broad definitions to make Israelis who advocated the same opinions liable for financial damages. This law, and other recent legislation in Israel, are deeply damaging to that country’s international image, and reputation as a democracy. Close scrutiny will now be paid to how the law is operated in practice.

As well as the territory of Israel, Israel also de factocontrols entry to the occupied Palestinian Territory, and it would be further unjust if persons are prevented from entering that territory on the basis of non-violent political opinions held about that occupation, and the behaviour and actions of the occupation authorities. I am already concerned that Israel is in practice more and more acting to exclude from Palestinian territory international aid and human rights workers, and even political observers, who seek to examine and document the operation of the occupation and the actions of the authorities. No military occupation should endure in the longer term, but if it is justly operated it should have nothing to hide.