Ireland is poised to become one of the first Western nations to prohibit imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Tanaiste (Foreign Minister) Simon Harris expressed hope that this move will encourage other European countries to follow suit.
On Tuesday, Harris obtained Cabinet approval to draft legislation that bans goods from these settlements. The proposed law will now advance to the next stage, with summaries of each section expected to be sent to the foreign affairs committee for pre-legislative scrutiny as early as next month.
Harris stated that the government's plans align with an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He described the proposed legislation as a small but imperative measure to maximize pressure for a ceasefire, given the scale of the humanitarian disaster.
Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin contextualized the planned legislation within the context of the ongoing horrors in Gaza. He emphasized the urgency for the entire world to pressure Israel to bring the war to an immediate end.
Independent Senator Frances Black welcomed the development but stressed that further steps are needed. She called for a full ban on all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, including both physical goods and intangible services.