Israel Data Access Stopped After Irish Objection

Objections levied by Irish European officials have put a stop to Israel gaining recognition for its data protection and access to sensitive information.

The European Commission has announced it has halted a proposal to allow Israel access to potentially sensitive data on European Union citizens following concerns expressed by the Irish representatives.

The unexpected move saw the Commission withdraw the application to effectively recognise Israel's data protection standards as being on a par with those enjoyed in the EU, thereby limiting the state's access to EU citizen's information.

A spokesman for the Department of Justice said the European Commission acknowledged the concerns expressed by an Irish official about the reliability of the Israeli data protection regime.

The Irish objections were raised after it emerged Israeli agents had used forged Irish passports in the murder of a Hamas operative. The events eventually led to the expulsion of an Israeli Diplomat, and a breakdown in Irish/Israeli relations.

Relations were further stretched in late May, after Israeli special forces boarded a Gaza bound aid flotilla, killing 19 people and taking a number of Irish aid workers into custody.

In Washington this morning, the long running conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian states took an historic step as the leaders of both peoples met for the first time to discuss a way to "make peace".

American President Barak Obama described this morning's meeting as a "moment of opportunity may not soon come again."

Ahead of this morning's talks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned against more "Iranian-sponsored" violence by Palestine, while Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called for a freeze on Israel building settlements in the West Bank and the release of all Palestinian prisoners.

(DW/GK)