Ireland has made history by becoming the first European Union country to pass legislation banning the import and trade of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The new law, called the Occupied Territories Bill, was introduced by Foreign Minister Simon Harris and officially passed by the Irish government this month. It prohibits the import of products made in Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law.
This move follows a 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which called on nations to avoid economic activities that support Israel’s settlement expansion in occupied Palestinian territory.
The Irish law focuses on physical goods such as dates, oranges, olives, timber, and cosmetics. It does not yet cover services. While the total value of these imports to Ireland is small, the political message is significant.
Campaigners and human rights groups have praised the legislation as a symbolic and legal milestone, hoping it will encourage similar action across other European countries. The EU has previously labeled the settlements illegal but has not imposed a collective trade ban.
The Irish government has emphasized that the law aligns with international law and Ireland’s long-standing support for a two-state solution.
Other EU nations are now watching Ireland’s decision closely, as it may serve as a precedent for broader policy shifts within the bloc.
Sources: The Jerusalem Post, Anadolu Agency, Reuters, EU News
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