Gavin sidesteps pres 'expel Israel' UN call

TAOISEACH Michael Martin and Fianna Fail presidential candidate Jim Gavin have distanced themselves from Michael D Higgins' call to expel Israel from the UN.

- BY CILLIAN SHERLOCK

The former Dublin GAA boss was speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in Co Offaly, where the head of State suggested Israel and countries that supply it with weapons should be excluded from the United Nations.

Mr Higgins was reacting to a report a team of independent experts commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council which concluded Tel Aviv is committing genocide in Gaza.

Israel refused to cooperate with the commission and has described allegations of genocide as antisemitic.

Asked if he agreed with Mr Higgins, Mr Gavin said the Constitution is clear that foreign policy is determined by the Government.