Leinster House rally scheduled as campaigners demand action on Occupied Territories Bill
An all-day rally has been announced by campaigners calling on the Government to urgently progress the Occupied Territories Bill.Activists from throughout Ireland will assemble outside Leinster House on Wednesday, 25 March at 10am. Demands include the progression of the bill and the development of a definite time frame for its implementation.The demonstration will run from 10am to 7pm, with politicians and campaign representatives scheduled to address attendees at 2.30pm. The Occupied Territories Bill is a proposed Irish law designed to prohibit trade in goods and services originating from illegal settlements in occupied territories.This would include Israeli settlements in Palestine. The bill has been in development since 2018 and it was originally presented by Independent Senator Frances Black.In 2024, the International Court of Justice determined that Israel's occupation and settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are unlawful, and that states must implement measures to prevent trade or economic relations."We're nearly two years on from the ICJ ruling, almost one and a half years since the election, and still waiting on legislation to be moved in the Dáil," said Conor O’Neill, Head of Advocacy and Policy at Christian Aid."By contrast, in September the Spanish Government announced plans to do this, and within a few weeks it was law. Their legislation isn't perfect, but crucially it includes a ban on services. There really are no excuses for these delays, it's time for the Irish government to finally deliver on the promises and pass the Occupied Territories Bill."Find more information here.Want to see more of the stories you love from Dublin Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Dublin Live as a preferred source, simply click here.
