Israel a terror state and envoy should be expelled, says FF TD

FIANNA FÁIL TD Chris Andrews has described Israel as a "terror state".

FIANNA FÁIL TD Chris Andrews has described Israel as a "terror state".

Speaking at the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs committee yesterday, which focused on the situation in Gaza, Mr Andrews said Israel had the right to defend itself but its approach was disproportionate.

"Israel has descended to such levels of brutality that it can only now be classified as a terror state," he said. "Israel appears to be uncontrollable. Israel is acting as a rogue state."

Mr Andrews said Irish supermarkets and shops should not stock what he described as "settler produce".

READ MORE

He called for an economic, diplomatic and political boycott of Israel, "until they realise that their actions do have consequences".

Mr Andrews has previously called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Ireland. At yesterday's meeting he said: "My views on recalling, expelling the ambassador I still stand over."

The ambassador is Zion Evrony, who also attended the committee meeting.

Addressing Dr Evrony, Labour Party TD Joe Costello said: "Is there any reason why we in Ireland shouldn't call in our government to have you withdrawn and sent home?"

Mr Costello also asked if there was any valid reason for the Government not to suspend all trade, cultural, sporting and recreational relations with Israel, and for the European Union to be asked to do the same.

Dr Evrony asked members of the committee to imagine Dublin being subject to missile attacks "day after day and night after night".

He said: "What would you do? What would you expect the Taoiseach to do? Would there not be a point when the Government would say 'enough is enough'?"

The Palestinian delegate general to Ireland, Hikmat Ajjuri, sat next to Dr Evrony at the committee meeting.

Dr Ajjuri described Gaza as a "virtual prison". He said one million refugees were currently living in the 360 sq km Gaza strip. "That is an area less than half the size of Co Louth," he said.

"Gaza has become a virtual prison, cut off from the world completely, with massive economic consequences amounting to a humanitarian disaster."

Mary Minihan

Mary Minihan

Mary Minihan is Features Editor of The Irish Times