Israeli embassy denies role in leaking conviction details

THE Israeli embassy has denied having any role in the leaking of details about the child rape conviction of Senator David Norris’s former lover.

Israeli officials said they had nothing to do with the publication of the conviction of human rights activist Ezra Yizhak Nawi, for whom Mr Norris sought clemency 14 years ago.

The comments came as the journalist who released the information revealed more claims about an Irish contact who he said had influenced him to unearth the child rape conviction details.

In a statement, the Israeli embassy denied claims it was behind the release of the details, which have led to Mr Norris pulling out of the presidential campaign.

“The Embassy of Israel wishes to state that allegations made in the media by some Irish public figures that the embassy was involved in the publication of a letter written by Senator David Norris to a court in Israel have absolutely no foundation. No such letter was or is in the possession of the embassy; as in Ireland, the judicial system in democratic Israel is entirely separate from the government and ministry of foreign affairs,” it said.

Mr Norris yesterday withdrew his bid for the Áras, saying he regretted the controversy surrounding his former partner of 25 years ago.

But Mr Norris said he did not regret seeking clemency for Nawi, when he wrote to an Israeli court on Seanad notepaper in 1997 in support of his former lover who was facing jail for having sex with a teenage boy.

The embassy said it enjoyed a “combative and mutually critical” relationship with Mr Norris, who has campaigned vigorously over the years for Palestinians.

“There is much admiration in Israel for Senator Norris’ work in Ireland in the cause of human rights and in particular for his endeavours for reform of the laws relating to homosexuality,” it added.

Meanwhile, journalist John Connolly who published details of Nawi’s conviction and Mr Norris’ letters reiterated a claim he was influenced to investigate the issues after being contacted by a former Labour party member.

The London-based blogger, who describes himself as a Zionist, claimed a former campaigner for presidential hopeful Michael D Higgins tipped him off about Nawi.

“He is an Irish trade unionist. He is not a member of the Michael D [Higgins] team but did campaign for him in the west of Ireland years ago.”

Mr Connolly claimed the source had previously canvassed for the then-Labour party TD and had been a member of the Labour party. “This was over a decade ago,” he said, adding it was during the 1997 general election.

The journalist said details provided by the source related to general convictions against Nawi and not the statutory rape conviction.

Labour said last night that the party and Mr Higgins “had no hand, act or part in generating the controversy”.