Forged passport inquiry urges expulsion of Israeli

TOP OFFICIALS from several Government departments and the Garda have recommended the expulsion of an Israeli embassy security…

TOP OFFICIALS from several Government departments and the Garda have recommended the expulsion of an Israeli embassy security officer after concluding that Israel forged Irish passports used by suspects in the murder of a Hamas official in Dubai.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin is expected to propose to Cabinet that it act on the recommendation, which was made by an inter-agency group including the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, the Department of the Taoiseach and the Garda.

The Irish Timeshas learned that the recommendation arose following the consideration of two reports – one from the Garda and the other from the Passport Service – concerning the use of eight fake Irish passports by those allegedly responsible for assassinating Mahmoud Al Mabhouh.

The Israeli embassy in Ballsbridge retains two Israeli nationals as security officers. Mr Martin is expected to bring the matter to Cabinet the week after next, in part to put distance between it and the fallout from Israel’s commando raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla earlier this week.

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The Department of Foreign Affairs said: “The Minister is determined that such action as decided by the Government be seen as a clear and targeted response to the very serious issue of the misuse of Irish passports and that it not be confused with reaction to any other international incident. He will time his statement on the misuse of passports accordingly.”

The Irish Timesunderstands that the Israeli ambassador Zion Evrony is aware of the expulsion plan.

Britain and Australia have expelled Israeli diplomats in retaliation for the use of forged British and Australian passports by the alleged assassins. There have been numerous calls for the Government to follow suit, including several calls for Dr Evrony to be expelled.

This week, Mr Martin strongly hinted that expelling the ambassador was not an option. "Our position all along has been to maintain diplomatic relations so that we can convey our views on the Middle East conflict directly to the Israeli government via the ambassador. That is the whole purpose of a diplomatic relationship," he told The Irish Times.

"When you take action to suspend or discontinue that, you undermine your basic approach as a Government to influence the course of things." The Irish Timesunderstands that another option considered at one point was the introduction of a visa scheme for Israeli nationals intending to visit Ireland.