Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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44. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact Israel's Strategic Affairs Minister, Gilad Erdan, has informed an Israeli newspaper (details supplied) that he is actively lobbying a 75% taxpayer-owned bank (details supplied) here to close the accounts of a group; if he has been personally lobbied by an Israeli Minister on this issue; his views on this campaign by the Israeli Government and attempts to meddle in the affairs of Irish civil society groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12429/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the newspaper report referred to. However, I have not myself been lobbied in this regard and I am unaware of any actual lobbying on this basis.

While the Government does not support a policy of “Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions”, it is a legitimate and non-violent political viewpoint, albeit one regarded in Israel as hostile.

The Government firmly opposes the policy known as ‘BDS’, which advocates a boycott of Israel, and which does not make a distinction between the State of Israel and illegal settlements in occupied territory. Nevertheless, the Government would be disappointed if a civil society organisation in this country engaging in lawful activities, including advocacy on non-violent policies, was unable to function due to banking difficulties, even if the Government does not agree with the views they might espouse. The free operation of civil society is an essential element in a democracy.