Israel Ambassador

Israeli Ambassador’s Last Minute Decision to Pull Out of Foreign Affairs Committee Meeting Without Reason Most Disappointing


2ND June 2010



The scheduled emergency meeting of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee tomorrow (3 rd) will now not take place as the Israeli Ambassador, Dr Zion Evrony, has just indicated that he does not intend to fulfil his commitment to attend the meeting.

Originally, Dr Evrony had accepted an invitation to attend tomorrow’s emergency meeting to answer questions regarding the current events off the Coast of Gaza. However, the Embassy informed the Committee this afternoon that he would not now be attending.

No reason other than “unforeseen circumstances” was offered and requests to arrange an alternative date or nominate a replacement for the Ambassador were also refused.

Committee Chairman, Dr Michael Woods TD said;
“This eleventh hour volta face by the Ambassador is a most disappointing development. The Committee had been anxious to seek answers from him regarding his Government’s actions against vessels in international waters carrying humanitarian supplies for the people of Gaza.

We were also particularly eager to question him regarding his Government’s intentions concerning the Irish-owned ship the Rachel Corrie which is on its way to Gaza.

This u-turn by an Ambassador is almost without precedent and as a Committee we are extremely dissatisfied with this action. We feel the Ambassador has a responsibility to answer questions in an open and democratic forum. People want answers, however, unfortunately this opportunity has been lost.”