The Irish government approved legislation on Tuesday, May 27, to ban the import of goods from Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law, marking an unprecedented move for a European Union member state.
This decision follows the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion last year declaring Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip illegal under international law. According to the Irish government, this ruling significantly influenced their choice.
“The government has agreed to strengthen the law prohibiting trade in goods from illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories… The government’s position is that this is an obligation under international law,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to AFP.
Before the cabinet’s decision, Foreign Minister Simon Harris expressed hope that other EU member states would follow Ireland’s example and adopt similar measures.
