Israel breached NZ's sovereignty and international law, says PM

6.30pm

Israel breached New Zealand's sovereignty and international law when two of its agents attempted to fraudulently obtain a passport, Prime Minister Helen Clark said tonight.

The Prime Minister announced a virtual suspension of diplomatic relations with Israel after Uriel Zoshe Kelman and Eli Cara were each sentenced to six months jail in the High Court at Auckland.

They had pleaded guilty to charges, including fraudulently attempting to obtain a New Zealand passport and participating in an organised crime group to obtain a false passport.

Helen Clark said in a statement there were "very strong reasons" to believe the two men were acting on behalf of Israel's intelligence services.

"The New Zealand Government views the act carried out by the Israeli intelligence agents as not only utterly unacceptable but also a breach of New Zealand sovereignty and international law."

She said the case involved far more than simply criminal behaviour by two individuals.

"The Israeli agents attempted to demean the integrity of the New Zealand passport system and could have created considerable difficulties for New Zealanders presenting their passports overseas in future," she said.

"New Zealand condemns without reservation these actions by agencies of the Israeli Government.

"The Israeli Government was asked for an explanation and an apology three months ago. Neither has been received."

Helen Clark said that as a result, the following measures had been implemented:

* New Zealand was suspending high-level visits from and to Israel;

* Approval for appointment of the new Israeli ambassador would be delayed and accreditation visits to Israel suspended in the meantime;

* Any approach by Israel for its head of state, President Katsov, to visit New Zealand in August, in association with a proposed visit to Australia, would be declined;

* Israelis visiting New Zealand in any official government capacity would be required to apply for visas;

* Foreign Ministry consultations with Israel, due later this year, would be suspended.

Helen Clark said no approach by Israel to intervene in the sentences imposed on the two men would be entertained.

"At the end of their sentences the normal process regarding deportation will apply," she said.

"This type of behaviour is unacceptable internationally by any country. It is a sorry indictment of Israel that it has again taken such actions against a country with which it has friendly relations."

Helen Clark said it was not the first time Israel had sought fraudulently to obtain passports from another country.

"Israeli agents caught in an unsuccessful assassination attempt in Jordan in 1997 were found to be carrying fraudulent Canadian passports," she said.

"While we regret the need for it, New Zealand has no option but to take the actions that it has in response to a deliberate breach of its sovereignty."

- NZPA