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For immediate release

Monday 28 September 2009

During a recent sitting of  the Foreign Affairs Joint Oireachtas Committee, Senator Mark Daly called for Colonel Desmond Travers, co-author of the UN Report on Israel Incursions into GAZA, to give evidence to the committee. The report was published on the 15 September 2009 by the United Nations.

Senator Daly called on Colonel Desmond Travers, a retired Officer in the Irish  Defence Forces to appear before  the joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs. According to this report, Israeli forces committed war crimes and human rights abuses in Gaza.  If the Colonel's evidence to the committee is that human rights abuses were committed, then Senator Daly will be demanding  for the suspension of all preferential trade that the EU engages in with Israel

Under Article 2 of this trade agreement, Israel must observe human rights in order to trade with the EU. With some 80% of Israel’s exports going to the EU, the suspension of this agreement would surely bring a change in behaviour by the Israeli government. 'Ireland must show that we do not tolerate Human Rights abuses' says Senator Daly who has been critical of the EU's unwillingness to implement clauses in its own treaty. 'It appears that the EU wants to turn a blind eye to the War Crimes. Does the EU only call it a war crime when its enemies commit them' - Senator Daly.

To view a clip of Mark quizzing the Israeli Amabassador to determine whether white phosphorous was used in the recent bombing of Gaza, click here

 ENDS

For more information, contact Mark on 086 8032612.