Senator defends Israeli friendship group involvement

A Cork politician has clarified that his withdrawal from an Ireland-Israel parliamentary friendship group was not done to improve his standing with voters.

Before resigning from the group, Cork Fine Gael Senator, Tim Lombard was one of ten Irish politicians comprising the Oireachtas Friends of Israel group.

Mr Lombard, who is running for Fine Gael in the upcoming general election, was recently criticised by Irish anti-war initiative Action Against War for ever having been part of such a group.

Action Against War said Mr Lombard’s decision to withdraw from the Oireachtas Friends of Israel group was “a year overdue and entirely self-serving”.

In a new statement, Mr Lombard defended his involvement, saying that the purpose of parliamentary friendship groups is to promote dialogue and understanding between parliamentarians of different jurisdictions.

Outlining the distinction between parliamentarians and governments, Mr Lombard said that parliamentary friendship groups by their nature are made up of parliamentarians from across the political spectrum.

He said: “You may have members who belong to parties who are in government in their jurisdiction and equally members from opposition parties.

“This broad spectrum of members allows for debate and a greater understanding of issues of mutual concern.

“I have always fully supported calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and unhindered access to aid in Gaza. I believe that a long-term strategy is required to ensure peace and security for the peoples of Palestine and Israel.

“The actions of the Netanyahu government are horrendous, and they should and must be held to account,” added the senator.

Addressing his decision to leave the group, Mr Lombard said his political aim has always been to establish communication with parliamentarians who want peace and security for the peoples of Palestine and Israel.

“Having established that communication, I have withdrawn my membership of the Ireland-Israel parliamentary friendship group,” he said.

“Withdrawing membership of the group was not done to ‘improve my standing with voters’,” added Mr Lombard.

Earlier this week, Mr Lombard met members of the West Cork for Palestine group in Bandon who invited him to attend the weekly vigil with them.

“I explained that I would not attend at this time in case people saw it as a vote getting exercise,” concluded the senator.