Israel

Action against Israel on Forged Irish Passports due “Very Shortly” Minister Tells Committee


11th June 2010

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin intends to put forward the appropriate action regarding the forgery of Irish passports in the assassination of a Hamas military commander last January “very shortly,” he told a meeting of the Oireachtas European Affairs Committee today.

Minister Martin told the Committee that he will soon decide what action needs to be taken and that he remains anxious that this issue be given the attention and focus it merits and that it does not become mixed up with the issues arising from the military assault on the Gaza flotilla.

On that matter, he commented that he was hopeful that the cargo of the MV Rachel Corrie, including cement, would reach Gaza and be allowed to enter the territory. He also rejected the idea of an Israeli led internal investigation into the incident and said that he would be pushing for an international dimension to an inquiry at the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg next Monday.

Committee Chairman, Bernard Durkan TD said;
“All Committee members expressed their desire that the forged Irish passports issue be brought to conclusion. There must be some sanction taken against those who would seek to illegally use Irish identity with nefarious intent.

We were also pleased by the Minster’s statement that he was hopeful that the aid cargo aboard the Irish vessel the MV Rachel Corrie would reach its intended recipients in Gaza where the goods are so urgently required.”