Speaking from Strasbourg, Labour MEP for Dublin Proinsias De Rossa has asked the President of the European Parliament to make contact with the Israeli Prime Minister to make it clear that Israeli violations of Human Rights are contrary to maintaining normal relations with the European Union.

Mr. De Rossa said: "The International Federation of Journalists, representing 600.000 journalists in 125 countries, has called on the Israeli authorities to revoke a deportation order on a journalist, Jared Malsin, who was deported because his reports on the situation in the West Bank and Gaza were critical of the Israeli government. They have condemned the deportation as an intolerable violation of press freedom.

"In addition, 13 Human Rights organisations have protested to the Israeli Knesset and Prime Minister regarding the increasing and systematic campaign against Human Rights organisations in Israel.

"It has been reported that Israel is demanding that the European Union stop giving financial assistance to Human Rights organisations operating in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

"We must make it clear that the EU is founded on respect for Human Rights, the right of free speech and the rights to criticise one's own government, a free press, and the right to campaign for respect of these rights. The right to protest against infringements of Human Rights is fundamental to a democratic state.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu must also be reminded that EU trade agreements require those we do business with to respect Human Rights and that Israel's current activities will inevitably lead to a review of its compliance with Human Rights norms."