Green Party calls on Irish Govt to ensure no weaponry is exported to Israel through Shannon
The Green Party today called on the Government to ensure that no weapons of any description would be exported to Israel through Shannon Airport.
Green Party Chairman and Foreign Affairs spokesperson, John Gormley TD said: “We already know that planes carrying Apache helicopters for Israel have landed at Shannon. We also know that planes used for extraordinary renditions have refuelled at Shannon Airport. Shannon Airport has become a military stop-over with the compliance of the Fianna Fáil/PD Government.
“Their see-no-evil, hear-no-evil approach has given the US military authorities free rein at Shannon Airport and in County Clare . Given our record to date, it is totally conceivable that planes carrying weaponry for Israel could be landing at Shannon Airport.
“The fact that a plane carrying guided missiles for export to Israel landed recently in Britain without the knowledge of the Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett, indicates the total contempt that the Bush administration has for its closest allies.
“I am therefore calling on the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern to be extra vigilant during this critical period and to ensure that all procedures in relation to the landing and re-fuelling of planes are followed to the letter.”
Deputy Gormley says the Irish Government’s supine attitude to the Bush administration has been reflected by their lack of vocal condemnation of Israeli actions in Lebanon.
“The only occasion when the Irish Government acted with any sort of principle was when the Unifil troops were attacked by Israel. Up until then the comments from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Taoiseach in relation to Israeli atrocities lacked conviction. We now need a statement from either the Taoiseach or Minister for Foreign Affairs stating that they will, under no circumstances, allow any weaponry bound for Israel through Shannon Airport.”
Deputy Gormley also called on the Taoiseach and Minster Dermot Ahern to immediately refute today’s statement by the Israeli Justice Minister Haim Ramon.
“It is absolutely outrageous to claim that yesterday’s failure to reach agreement on a ceasefire at a summit in Rome was giving a green light to further Israeli aggression,” he said. “The Green Party has consistently condemned State and non-State violence in the region and we continue to do so. However, it is clear that the root cause of the continuing problems in the region is the unjust treatment of the Palestinians.
“If there is to be a lasting agreement, as Condoleezza Rice seems to want, then the peace process must deal comprehensively with the expansion of the settlements on the West Bank, the recognition of the democratically elected Hamas Government, as well as the security of the Israeli state. Such a settlement must also recognise that Syria and Iran are key actors now in this regional conflict. The USA is living in denial if it does not recognise this reality.
“Our neutral status – or what remains of it – offers us a unique opportunity to be honest brokers in this conflict. This opportunity will be squandered if the Irish Government continues to pander to US interests,” concluded Deputy Gormley.