Labour has called on the Government to respond to an invitation from the International Court of Justice to all member states of the United Nations to make submissions to the court on the legality of wall being constructed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The call was made today by Labour's spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Mr Michael D. Higgins who said that Ireland's presidency of the EU provided an ideal opportunity for the State to show leadership on major international problems, such as the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict.
Mr Michael D Higgins, Labour Party foreign affairs spokesman
"A useful initial step would be for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, to now respond to the invitation from the International Court to make a submission on the wall," said Mr Higgins.
"The Labour Party believes that there is no moral or political justification for the construction of a wall that will create great hardship and inconvenience for many Palestinians. There is a widespread body of respected international legal opinion which believes that the wall is illegal," added Mr Higgins.
A resolution of the United Nations General Assembly last month means that member states have up to the end of January to make submissions on the controversial wall.
Mr Higgins continued: "Ireland is already on record as opposing the construction of the wall and was co-sponsor of a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly demanding that Israel stop and reverse the construction of the wall. It should now follow through on that welcome position by making an appropriate submission to the International Court."