DaysofPal – In a landmark decision, the Irish government has approved a draft bill to ban the import of goods produced in Israeli settlements—settlements which are considered illegal under international law. If passed by Parliament, Ireland would become the first European Union member state to enact such legislation.
A spokesperson for Ireland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed:
“The government has agreed to move forward with legislation that prohibits trade in goods from illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. The government views this as a legal obligation under international law.”
The bill, largely symbolic at this stage, still requires a parliamentary vote. It targets goods such as fruit, vegetables, and timber but excludes services like tourism and IT.
Between 2020 and 2024, trade between Ireland and the territories occupied by Israel amounted to less than one million euros—a relatively minor economic relationship but a politically significant gesture.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin previously noted that the Cabinet would discuss the bill banning imports from illegal Israeli settlements. He emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the prolonged assault on Palestinians.
“The indiscriminate bombing of innocent civilians, the killing of families, and the destruction of entire homes goes beyond any moral standard. The entire world must pressure the Israeli occupation to end this war immediately.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Harris supported the bill, saying:
“While this is a small step in many ways, it is essential that every country does what it can to increase pressure and help create the conditions for a ceasefire.”
He described the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza as “almost unimaginable,” and “in deep contradiction with human conscience.”
Notably, Ireland’s Senate approved a similar bill in 2018 to ban settlement products, but the legislation did not advance to law at the time.
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