Named Roxanne, the project includes Israel’s ministry for “public security” and a number of law enforcement bodies.
The involvement of Ireland’s two police forces in the project has angered campaigners and politicians from across the island. They have pointed out that the Israeli ministry oversees prisons where Palestinians are routinely abused and a police force active in settlements which violate international law.
An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s main police force, claimed that it is “important” to take part in Roxanne.
Participating in such projects “strengthen and enhance the capabilities” of Irish police to combat “serious and organized crime” and “threats against the security of the state,” a Garda spokesperson said.
“Roxanne is an EU-funded project targeting criminal networks,” the spokesperson added. “As with all EU projects, participants and partners must adhere to the highest ethical and research integrity principles.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland has also received complaints over its participation in Roxanne.
Bobby Singleton, a representative of that force, said the project’s activities are supervised by an “independent ethics board.” The board provides “analysis and oversight of the legal, ethical and social issues associated with the project,” he said.
Singleton added that “concerns raised with us” over Roxanne have been shared with that board and the European Commission and “we understand these are currently being reviewed.”