Ógra FF calls for review of EU / Israeli Trade Agreement

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report Monday July 24, 2006 16:40 by Max - Ogra

Ógra Fianna Fáil has called for the immediate reconvening of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs to discuss the implications of recent Israeli actions to the EU-Israel Association Agreement which governs trade relations between the EU and Israel.

"Respect for human rights is an essential element of the EU-Israel Association Agreement which governs trade relations between the EU and Israel. In the light of events over the last thirteen days, we feel that the human rights provisions of this Agreement must now be examined" stated Ógra spokesperson Peter Doris.

Mr Doris went on to say that "members of Ógra Fianna Fáil are horrified at the recent upsurge of violence across Lebanon and Northern Israel and the increasingly desperate situation in Gaza. While violence on both sides must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, we feel that the Israeli military response has been harsh and grossly disproportionate."

"Many hundreds of innocent victims have been killed indiscriminately by military strikes directed at civilian population centres and an extensive range of public infrastructure has been devastated and destroyed. This in turn has lead to untold misery and suffering for the people of the region and to the increasing danger of a serious humanitarian crisis."

Such actions are in flagrant breach of several international laws and accords and have been condemned by the UN Emergency Relief Co-ordinator as a "violation of humanitarian law."

"The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs should be recalled urgently to discuss the implications of recent Israeli actions to the EU-Israel Association agreement" concluded Mr Doris