A leading Irish charity has been accused of mounting a biased campaign against Israel by Fine Gael party chairman Charlie Flanagan.
Trocaire is the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
Flanagan has accused Trocaire of ‘mounting a biased and partisan political campaign against Israel,’ according to a report in the Sunday Independent newspaper.
The Fine Gael party chair accused the state funded charity of ‘conducting a very active political campaign in the Middle East.’
He has called on his own government to investigate the claim against Trocaire which receives over $20million annually in state grant aid.
The Fine Gael boss added: “Trocaire is waging this campaign against Israel. I believe it is biased and partisan.
“I hope every family, whose children brings home a Trocaire box for the mantelpiece, should be aware of the true nature of Trocaire’s campaign in the Middle East.”
The Sunday Independent report carries quotes from an article by Trocaire’s executive director Justin Kilcullen on Irish and EU policy towards the settlements.
Kilcullen wrote: “The Israeli settlements in the West Bank have been built on occupied land. Their existence has been repeatedly deemed illegal by the UN and the International Court of Justice.
“But Irish and EU policy towards the Israeli settlements defies logic. We consider them illegal yet we economically support them.”
Flanagan told the paper that Trocaire has overstepped its mandate as a development agency.
He added: “I am very concerned about their stance and their political bias. Trocaire is an official organisation linked to Irish Aid - the State’s programme of assistance to developing countries.
“It is a major recipient of taxpayers’ money through Irish Aid. They are currently calling for a boycott of Israeli products and calling for a ban on trade with those producing goods on the West Bank and have called for a ban on what they described as ‘illegal goods’.
“It is my belief they are now engaged in a very partisan political campaign that is beyond their remit.”
The report says that Trocaire was set up in 1973 with the aim ‘to express the concern of the Irish Catholic Church for the suffering of the world’s poorest people.’
Trocaire has always been involved in advocacy work as well as charity work, according to its website which states: “Trocaire envisages a just and peaceful world where people’s dignity is ensured and rights are respected; where those in power act for the common good.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.shuvonn | Nov 17, 2012, 04:37 AM EST
On 19 January 2010, Mahmoud al-Mabhouh a senior Hamas military commander was assassinated in Dubai by a team of eight suspected Mossad officers who used counterfeit European passports, including Irish passports. The Irish government responded by expelling a staff member of the Israeli Embassy in Dublin. Ireland subsequently delayed an EU-Israel agreement which would involve allowing Israel to access sensitive information on EU citizens, and demanded that Israel tighten its data protection laws.
WoundedKnee | Nov 16, 2012, 03:12 AM EST
If the Irish were any good they'd have kicked out the Israeli Ambassador when it was shown that the Israelis used forged Irish passports when murdering people.
Joe Kelsall | Nov 15, 2012, 04:30 PM EST
I believe that Caiphus considered Jesus to be partisan and and acting beyond his remit. Hence he had him crucified.
Scrivner | Nov 15, 2012, 02:34 PM EST
The struggle against antisemitism seems to be an everlasting task. It's disappointing to find the Church sponsoring those with these wicked attitudes.
Portia777 | Nov 15, 2012, 09:33 AM EST
Trocaire was set up in 1973 with the aim ‘to express the concern of the Irish Catholic Church for the suffering of the world’s poorest people.’The Roman cult thrives on the poverty of the poorest- energetically sucking every last atom of energy from the poor souls. If it was concerned, it would be using its gold and treasures to create money and feed the poor- they have more than enough to feed this Universe- so why not? Soul suckers love the suffering. Kate Bush Experiment 1V explains it all so well.
Portia777 | Nov 15, 2012, 09:29 AM EST
What about the poor in Ireland.?