RECOGNITION ‘MOVING CLOSER’
■ Harris: Only way is a political peace process ■ Martin: ‘Absurd to say it is rewarding terrorism’
ognition.
“We ask why reward terrorism?” she said.
“This is giving a very dangerous signal to Hamas and other terror organisations.”
Branded
Asked about Ms Erlich’s comments on the opening night of the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis in Dublin last night, Mr Martin dismissed the suggestions and branded them “absurd” and “unacceptable”.
He said: “There are many, many countries around the world over the years [which] have recognised the Palestinian state. We were faithful to the Oslo Accord.
“I think it’s an absurd and unacceptable assertion to make.
“There was a time when Israel committed to a steady state solution. I think under Benjamin Netanyahu, what we witnessed from Israel [were] deliberate attempts to undermine the prospects of a two-state solution, the failure to rein in settlers and settlements, for example, is evidence of that. It is just wrong to make that assertion.
“I would also want to say to the
Ambassador, the Ambassador was very incorrect in saying that the Irish Government have not condemned Hamas itself as an organisation. We have and I have consistently condemned Hamas, the objectives of Hamas.
“I have very vociferously, which I think the Ambassador did acknowledge, condemned the heinous crimes that Hamas committed on October 7.
He continued: “Given our own experience of 30 years of terror in Northern Ireland, the last thing Fianna Fáil is doing is condoning or in any way rewarding terrorism.
“It is the last thing we would do.” Mr Martin also said that he “believes in diplomacy and I don’t believe in expelling ambassadors”.
Tensions
Fianna Fáil announced earlier this week that neither the Israeli Ambassador nor the Russian Ambassador, Yuri Filatov, were invited to their two-day Ard Fheis.
As tensions continue to grow between Israel and Iran, the Iranian Ambassador confirmed to RTÉ’s Drivetime that he was invited to and would be attending the event.