Martin requests withdrawal of staff member at Israeli Embassy
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has today requested the withdrawal of a member of staff at the Israeli Embassy in Dublin.
It follows the fraudulent use of Irish passports by those suspected of involvement in the assassination of Mahmoud Al Mabhouh in Dubai last January.
"The misuse of Irish passports by a State with which Ireland enjoys friendly, if sometimes frank, bilateral relations is clearly unacceptable and requires a firm response," said Minister Martin.
"Accordingly, I have proposed, and the Government has agreed at today’s Cabinet meeting, that by way of protest at its unacceptable action, Israel be requested to withdraw a designated member of staff of its Embassy in Dublin.
"This demand has been conveyed to the Israeli Ambassador and I would expect it to be quickly acceded to."
Minister Martin will not specify the name or function of the official whom the Israeli Government has been requested to withdraw.
"In accordance with normal diplomatic practice, I do not propose to reveal either the name or function of the official whom the Israeli Government has been requested to withdraw."
He added that the official concerned is a victim of the actions of the state of Israel.
"I want to state clearly that the official concerned is not accused or suspected of any particular wrongdoing. In being obliged to leave their post prematurely, the official concerned is a victim of the actions of the State they represent.
"The Irish Government wants a relationship with Israel which is characterised by mutual trust and respect.
"However, our investigations into the misuse of Irish passports have reached conclusions about the conduct of the Israeli authorities which are profoundly disturbing and which are seriously detrimental to the kind of relationship we would like to have with Israel.
"I hope that, by the action which I have announced today, both countries will eventually be able to move past this incident and that such unfriendly actions damaging to overall relations are not repeated."
