'Publish Deadly Passport Report' Says FG

Opposition party Fine Gael has called on the Dáil to publish a report on the forged Irish passports used during the murder of members of the Palestinian Government.

Fine Gael Foreign Affairs Spokesman, Billy Timmins called for the immediate publication of the report, which looked into an incident in January when forged Irish passports were used during the assassination of members of the Palestinian Hamas party in a hotel in Dubai.

Speaking this morning Mr Timmins said: "It has emerged in media reports today that an unpublished report into the use of forged Irish passports during an assassination operation in Dubai contains a recommendation for the expulsion of an Israeli Embassy Security Officer.

"The report must be published without delay and the Minister must act on its recommendations immediately."

Mr Cowen said the Government will soon be deciding on what action to take in relation to the use of the forged Irish passports.

The Israeli Government has still declined to confirm or deny any involvement in the assassinations, and the timing of the report coincides with ongoing difficult relations due to the recent attack on the Gaza Aid Flotilla.

This morning, the Labour Party has called for the Attorney General to prepare a case against Israel under the Geneva Conventions for hearing in Irish courts.

Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa said there was a prima facie case for legal action by member states against Israel for "kidnapping their citizens" and for the use of "disproportionate and illegal armed force" against shipping in international waters, from which there was no obvious threat.

Mr De Rossa said: "I urge the Irish government to instruct the Attorney General to prepare a case against Israel under the Geneva Conventions for hearing in Irish courts.

"It is obvious that this latest breach of international law by Israel requires a response which goes beyond the usual rhetoric and handwringing.

"Member States and the EU have the economic wherewithal to make it clear to the Israeli government that we will no longer accept such tactics from a state, which prides itself as being part of the community of democratic states.

"The EU trade agreement with Israel should be suspended, as should the transfer of any moneys from EU programmes such as the 7th Research and Development programme," he said.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin Dáil Leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin also called on the Taoiseach to initiate a trade boycott of Israel at national and EU level, in response to Israel’s fatal attack on the flotilla of aid for the people of Gaza.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said: "There is shock and outrage at the actions of the Israeli government in attacking an aid convoy and killing voluntary aid workers in international waters. But there should be no surprise at this.

"It is the failure of EU governments, including the Irish government, to match words with deeds which has helped Israel to act with impunity."

(DW/BMcC)