Urgent Call: New Report Demands Ban on Services in Occupied Territories Bill

UPDATE: A powerful coalition of over 80 human rights organizations is urging the Irish Government to expand the Occupied Territories Bill to include a ban on services linked to illegal Israeli settlements. This urgent call comes just days before the Dáil returns from summer recess, heightening the pressure for immediate legislative action.

The report, titled “Trading with Illegal Settlements,” published on Monday, emphasizes that current government commitments to ban goods from illegal settlements must be complemented by service restrictions. This follows a significant recommendation from a cross-party Oireachtas committee in July, reflecting growing consensus among activists and opposition parties.

Senator Frances Black, who originally proposed the Occupied Territories Bill, stated, “We have been debating this legislation for seven long years, and in that time the situation in Palestine has rapidly deteriorated.” She highlighted the urgency, declaring, “We’re now facing into the devastating reality of a live-streamed genocide in Gaza. The time for talk is over.”

The report argues that trade with settlements directly contributes to the dispossession of Palestinians, exacerbating their impoverished conditions. It calls for the EU to halt all trade with goods and services originating from these settlements, a sentiment echoed by humanitarian leaders. Jim Clarken, CEO of Oxfam Ireland, remarked, “The relentless expansion of settlements erodes the very possibility of the Palestinian state recognized by Ireland last year.”

In a significant shift, Tanaiste Simon Harris, also the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, has expressed openness to including service bans in the upcoming legislation. He anticipates a decision early in the Dáil term, which could reshape Ireland’s role in addressing human rights violations in the region.

The report sheds light on the economic impact of Israeli policies, estimating that restrictions in the occupied territories cost the Palestinian economy billions annually. The EU remains Israel’s largest trading partner, accounting for €42 billion in trade each year, with up to €350 million potentially linked to settlement-based Israeli corporations.

This pressing issue comes as Slovenia has already enacted a ban on trade with illegal settlements, while Spain and Belgium are also moving towards legislative changes that could transform EU trade relations with Israel. The report advocates for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement unless Israel complies with its human rights obligations.

The urgency of this matter is heightened by the deteriorating situation in Gaza, with growing reports of violence and human rights abuses. As the Dáil prepares to reconvene, the call for action on the Occupied Territories Bill has never been more critical.

As developments unfold, the Irish public and international observers are keenly watching to see if the government will take definitive steps to address these pressing human rights concerns. The time for change is now, and the world is listening.