Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee will bring legislation to the Cabinet this morning to prohibit the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Ms McEntee is seeking Government approval of the text of the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill.
The coalition is aiming to have the legislation enacted before the summer recess in July.
The minister will tell colleagues that Ireland has long advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
But she believes it is clear from the actions of Israel’s government, both in Gaza and the West Bank, that it has no intention of reaching a peaceful resolution to the conflict or ending the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.
The Government’s still wants collective European Union action taken in response to this.
Under the legislation before the Cabinet the importation of goods originating in the settlements will be an offence under section 14 of the Customs Act 2015.
The Government believes the is in keeping with an International Court of Justice opinion, issued in 2024.
It urged states to take steps to prevent trade that assists in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories.
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Ireland calls for EU ban on trade with occupied territories
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