A committee has “unanimously” suggested that services should be part of the Government’s planned restriction on trade with unlawful Israeli settlements, a TD has stated.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Oireachtas is proposing the suggestion following testimony from specialist witnesses concerning theBill 2025 on Prohibiting the Import of Goods from Israeli Settlements
The document with the suggestion is set to be released on Wednesday next week.
The Irish government has announced it will introduce legislation to prohibit the trade of products from illegal Israeli settlements, after receiving a recommendation from the United Nations’ highest court.
The United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJ) stated last year that nations ought to “implement measures to stop trade or investment ties” that support unlawful Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory.
Even though the view does not distinguish between different forms of trade, official data have suggested that prohibiting services would be more legally challenging.
Sinn Féin TD and committee member Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire stated that the “critically significant” suggestion to incorporate services faced “no resistance” from any committee member.
He mentioned that it could include services spanning financial, technological, and lodging industries.
Undoubtedly, ethically, the same problem occurs whether it’s goods or services – you’re still engaging in trade with illegal settlements that are hindering the possibility of peace in the Middle East.
He expressed sorrow over the humanitarian crisis and extensive hunger in Gaza, referring to it as “human rights violations one after another” within the Palestinian territory.
The suggestion from the foreign affairs committee has been received positively by Christian Aid Ireland as “very important.”
The charity’s policy director, Conor O’Neill, stated: “Regardless of the hype, false information, and warnings, TDs and senators from both the government and the opposition dedicated weeks to examining the Occupied Territories Bill thoroughly, evaluating the evidence, listening to specialists, and assessing the consequences.”
They have clearly stated: it is now necessary to prohibit all trade with the unlawful Israeli settlements, including both products and services, in accordance with international law.
This is a significant show of trust and a straightforward message to the Government that we need to get this correct.
In the end, it makes no difference if you’re bringing in a box of olives made on land that was taken from Palestinians, or reserving a vacation home in a property that was unlawfully taken from a Palestinian family through a platform such as Airbnb.
A euro of assistance is a euro of assistance, and the ICJ made it clear that all of it needs to stop. The Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs has strongly supported this today, and the Government must pay attention.
We must enact a comprehensive and efficient Occupied Territories Bill without delay.
