Cowen denounces Israeli attacks as ‘disproportionate’

THE Taoiseach has strongly condemned the Israeli attacks in Gaza — denouncing them as “disproportionate” and a hindrance to long-term peace in the region.

Brian Cowen’s comment came as Israeli special forces shelled a UN headquarters in Gaza, injuring agency employees and setting fire to stores of food and emergency supplies.

A move for sanctions against Israel were hinted at yesterday when Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin said the Irish Government would press within the EU for action against it.

Delivering a key foreign policy address in Tokyo, Japan, Mr Cowen reiterated Ireland’s objection to Israel’s offensive which has seen nearly 1,000 Palestinians killed.

“For my Government’s part, we have consistently said we consider the action taken by Israel in response to Hamas’ rocket attacks to be disproportionate.

“Such action can only further complicate the search for a durable peace. The voice of the UN Security Council and the international community must be heard, and the present appalling situation must end now.”

At home, Minister Martin made it clear the bombing of the building belonging to the UN’s relief and works agency (UNRWA) was appalling.

“Our view is that there have to be consequences in terms of this action and in terms of the conduct and nature of the conflict... in terms of the European Union’s relationship with Israel. There have to be implications there.”

Minister Martin said the Government would be making its voice clear at EU meetings of foreign ministers. An international inquiry was also needed into the bombing of the UN building, he added.

The Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs yesterday passed a motion calling for a suspension of the proposed upgrading of relations with Israel under the European Neighbourhood Policy.

It emerged yesterday that Israeli forces had been warned that its military were firing on the compound. The Irish director of UNRWA in Gaza, John Ging, said he had warned them but shells continued to hit the building.

Mr Ging claimed the Israelis had used a phosphorous-type weapon which had ignited huge fires at the compound.

“They looked like phosphorous, smelt like phosphorous and they burn like phosphorous,” he told RTÉ radio.

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach also said yesterday that the world’s eyes were watching the US ahead of Barack Obama’s inauguration next week. But Mr Cowen also warned the global political future was uncertain.

“The United States remains the world’s greatest power but Iraq has exposed the limits of that power and America’s need for friends and partners.”