A DIPLOMATIC standoff has developed between the EU and Israel over a planned visit by the EU Troika, led by the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, to visit Orient House, the PLO headquarters in Jerusalem.
Israel opposes the visit to the organisation's headquarters and its ambassador to Ireland, Mr Zvi Gabay, said yesterday his country would welcome the Troika or any political leaders "provided they don't go to Orient House".
However, a spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said last night it was "established EU policy" that troika foreign ministers go to Orient House when they visit Jerusalem. This policy still stood, and it was the Tanaiste's desire to proceed in line with existing procedures.
Sources in Dublin also indicated that contacts had been made between Ireland and countries in the Middle East, including Israel, in order to fix appointments for the Troika visit which begins on November 10th. The programme is not finalised, and there is no indication yet of the stance likely to be adopted by the Israeli government.
Before leaving Dublin at the end of his visit to Ireland, as holder of the EU Presidency, the President of the Palestine Authority, Mr Yasser Arafat, said the EU had "the full right" to visit Orient House.
"The Israelis don't have the right to give orders to the Troika," Mr Arafat said.
But Mr Gabay said the Israeli position was "clear" and the Troika, the EU Presidency and the EU had "ample opportunity to hear our views".
Israel was now negotiating, through diplomatic channels, to establish what the Troika planned to do on its visit to the Middle East. Mr Spring will be accompanied by the Italian and Dutch Foreign Ministers and in addition to Jerusalem they intend to visit Tel Aviv, Gaza and Cairo.
Asked if the Israeli government was angry at the proposed trip to Orient House, the ambassador replied that this was not the case. He added, however, that "if the EU decide to take a different, action, they have to negotiate with us.
"We don't know exactly what she Troika would like to do. We don't know exactly what they are planning to do. We are negotiating with them . .. We will hear their opinion through diplomatic channels," he said.
Meanwhile, Israel had "no quarrel" with the manner in which Mr Arafat was warmly welcomed in Dublin by the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, as EU President, and the Tanaiste. The PLO chairman was assured by the Taoiseach that the EU would use its economic weight in the Middle East to work constructively for the peace process.
