Irish Senate Approves Ban on Products from “Israeli” Settlements

Local Editor

Ireland’s senate voted in favor of a bill banning the importation of products from “Israeli”-occupied Palestinian territories, paving the way for the country to become the first EU nation to enforce a boycott.

The bill, which was faced by angry “Israeli” opposition, prohibits “trade with and economic support for illegal settlements in territories deemed occupied under international law”.

Having been approved in the upper house of the Irish parliament, the Seanad, the legislation will now need to get through more Seanad votes and then the lower house before becoming law.

Meanwhile, the Zionist foreign ministry, led by “Israeli” Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, summoned Ireland’s ambassador to the occupied territories, Alison Kelly, at the time.

Estimates put the value of settlement-made products to Ireland at between only €500,000 and €1m annually but proponents of the bill say it could chart a path for other EU states to follow.

Netanyahu denounced the bill, saying it “gives a tailwind to those who seek to boycott “Israel” and is utterly contrary to the principles of free trade and justice”.

Frances Black, the independent senator who sponsored the bill, said in a statement before the vote that “trade in settlement goods sustains injustice”.

“In the occupied territories, people are forcibly kicked out of their homes, fertile farming land is seized, and the fruit and vegetables produced are then sold on Irish shelves to pay for it all,” she said.

“These settlements are war crimes, and it’s time for Ireland to show some leadership and refuse to support them.”

The bill does not name “Israel” but instead refers to an occupying power and illegal settler.

In 2015, the EU issued guidelines for the labelling of products from “Israeli” settlements, which it considers illegal and says are an obstacle to peace.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team