Ireland to pass law banning goods from Israeli settlements in West Bank
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondentsGet a weekly dispatch from our international correspondentsGet a weekly international news dispatchIreland is aiming to pass legislation by mid-July to curb trade in goods with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, Foreign Minister Helen McEntee confirmed on Tuesday. The proposed measure faces considerable opposition from Israel, certain US politicians, and various business groups.The Irish government, a prominent critic of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, had previously committed to imposing sanctions on these settlements. However, the bill's progress has been delayed by conflicting pressures. Opposition politicians have sought to broaden the ban to include services, while international corporate lobbyists have actively campaigned for the bill's complete abandonment. Reports from last October indicated the legislation would ultimately be confined to goods.Prime Minister Micheal Martin confirmed that last week and said widening the scope to services was neither "implementable" nor "viable".Armed Israeli soldiers gather near a yellow metal barrier at the entrance to the Old City of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank (AFP/Getty)Limiting the bill to goods only will impact just a handful of products imported from Israeli-occupied territories, such as fruit that are worth just €200,000 (£172,640) a year, Ireland's Central Statistics Office said.Business groups warned that the wider category of services could pull foreign multinational companies into unworkable sanctions."We have consistently advocated for a peaceful solution... but it's very clear from the actions taken most recently by the Israeli government, but in particular the continued increase in settler violence, the escalation in settler violence in the West Bank, the continued violence in Lebanon, that they have no desire to take this particular road," Ms McEntee said.Israel's far-right governing coalition has enabled a rapid expansion of settlements, with some ministers openly advocating for the annexation of the West Bank.Settler violence against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank has surged since the Gaza war began in October 2023.Ms McEntee said last week she hoped to pass the law in tandem with Belgium, the Netherlands and possibly Slovenia, which have also committed to introducing bans. Spain has already introduced similar curbs, the only European Union member to so far do so.A group of US lawmakers wrote to Mr Martin in 2025, warning that passing the bill would damage US-Irish relations and impact American companies in Ireland.Ireland is particularly sensitive to pressure from the US, as mainly US-owned foreign multinationals are a major part of the economy and employ around 11 per cent of Irish workers.Most of the international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law. Israel disputes this, citing historical and biblical ties to the area and saying that they provide strategic depth and security.
