Israeli and Palestinian envoys to argue their cases

The Israeli and Palestinian envoys in Ireland will come face-to-face at an emergency Oireachtas Committee meeting next week over the ongoing attacks in the Gaza Strip.

More than 840 people have been killed in the controversial 16-day offensive by Israel which claims it is protecting its citizens from rocket attacks by Hamas terrorists.

The Foreign Affairs Committee has summoned Israel’s Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Zion Evrony and the head of the General Delegation of Palestine to Ireland, Dr Hikmat Ajjuri to its meeting in Leinster House on Tuesday.

TDs and Senators are expected to grill the Israeli and Palestinian diplomats on the conflicting arguments surrounding the outbreak of violence.

Committee chairman Dr Michael Woods said the all-party body is extremely alarmed at the scale of the violence and bloodshed occurring in Gaza and decided to call the emergency meeting to try to obtain a clearer picture of the positions of all sides.

“As Dr Evrony and Dr Ajjuri are the permanent representatives in Ireland of Israel and Palestine, they should be able to provide an informed insight as to causes of and likely future developments in this deeply regrettable conflict,” the former Government Minister explained.

Mr Woods also acknowledged the symbolic significance of the agreement by both men to attend together at the meeting.

“I think it is encouraging that both Dr Evrony and Dr Ajjuri have agreed to appear jointly at the Committee and share a platform at this time when dialogue is more important than ever.”

The TD believes the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza means Israel and Hamas must agree to cease all hostilities immediately.

“This emergency meeting will provide a forum to urge that options other than the military approach be pursued by all parties in search of peace and a just and lasting two state solution,” he said.

The 18-member Committee includes senior TDs and Senators from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour as well as Independent Senator David Norris.