The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that an Israeli-operated flight carrying Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) weaponry flew through Irish sovereign airspace without legal permission.
On Wednesday the Ditch reported the flight was carrying 143 "detonating fuzes" with a weight of more than 30 kilos. It has now emerged that it was also loaded with 7.6 tonnes of ammunition primer – explosives used to propel bullets .
In a statement issued to The Ditch this evening a DFA spokesperson said no civil aircraft had been authorised to pass through Irish airspace to Israel with weapons on board.
"In 2023 and to date in 2024, no applications have been received or exemptions granted for the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft to Israel," said the spokesperson. "All foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly or land in Irish sovereign territory/airspace are required to obtain diplomatic clearance."
More than seven tonnes of weaponry
Yesterday The Ditch reported that an aircraft loaded with explosives destined for use by the Israel Defense Forces travelled through Irish sovereign airspace last February.
Records show the Boeing 747 cargo flight crossed Irish territory on 27 February, 2024, entering over Mayo's Silver Strand and departing above Wicklow's Brittas Bay. The aircraft touched down in Liege, Belgium, before completing its journey to Tel Aviv.
The Ditch first reported that a US-issued air waybill showed the flight's cargo contained 143 "detonating fuzes" weighing 35.3 kilograms on their way to the "Government of Israel".
There were more munitions onboard, according to documents released by Belgian authorities to Antwerp-based NGO Vredesactie.
This Challenge Airlines Israel Boeing 747 flight that passed through Irish sovereign airspace on its way to Tel Aviv from New York was also carrying more than 7.6 tonnes of weaponry destined for Israel.
The Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said the carriage of munitions of war is prohibited on any civil aircraft in Irish airspace unless the transport minister grants an exemption.
"All foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly or land in Irish sovereign territory/airspace are required to obtain diplomatic clearance," they said.
"Such clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation. This diplomatic clearance procedure is fully compatible with Ireland's policy of military neutrality."
