Amnesty International chief slams 'fearmongering' after Ibec comments on Occupied Territories Bill

Amnesty International Secretary-General, Agnès Callamard, said: 'It cannot be ‘business as usual’ while Palestinians are starved and slaughtered while seeking aid or under relentless Israeli attacks in Gaza.' Picture: Wikimedia Commons

There has been “fearmongering” in attempts by some bodies to “derail” the introduction of the Occupied Territories Bill, the head of Amnesty International has said.

The organisation's secretary general, Agnès Callamard, has praised the Irish Government for its plans to ban trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Ms Callamard said the EU has “betrayed its principles through its shameful decision not to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement”.

“The EU’s refusal to take action to hold Israel accountable highlights the need for Ireland and other likeminded member states to urgently take unilateral or concerted steps to bring their actions in line with international law, which takes precedence over both EU and national law,” Ms Callamard said.

“Despite the fearmongering and efforts by certain parties to derail the bill, Ireland must stay firm in its convictions and commitment to justice."

It comes after comments from the director general of Ibec, Danny McCoy, criticising the Government for introducing the bill, warning it is damaging Irish interests in countries like the US.

“We’re not talking about millions here,” Mr McCoy said.

“This is not about actually helping in any material way. It’s symbolism and moral positioning, and so on. However, with moral positions, you can also reveal hypocrisy.”

Ms Callamard said passing the legislation would “set a strong example” to other EU countries to unilaterally suspend co-operation with Israel.

Ms Callamard said:

It cannot be ‘business as usual’ while Palestinians are starved and slaughtered while seeking aid or under relentless Israeli attacks in Gaza, or killed and forcibly displaced by state-backed Israeli settler violence, devastating military operations and suffocating movement restrictions in the West Bank.

“From its own experiences of colonisation, famine and conflict to its leading role in international efforts to end apartheid in South Africa, Ireland has repeatedly shown that it can stand up to bullies and consistently punched above its weight in global diplomacy.”

The Oireachtas Justice Committee is currently undertaking pre-legislative scrutiny of the Occupied Territories Bill, with witnesses appearing in recent weeks to discuss the proposed laws.

There has been some criticism of the legislation for not going far enough, as it only deals with trade and not services.

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin rejected suggestions by former Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter the bill was coming from any position of antisemitism.

At the Justice Committee on Tuesday, Mr Shatter said the proposed laws had “antisemitic symbolism” due to it not targeting other occupied territories.

“What I would reject very strongly is any suggestion that there is any hint of antisemitism in terms of the Irish position,” Mr Martin said, “I think that was wrongly presented by former Minister (Alan) Shatter in his presentation to the Oireachtas committee. I was dismayed at the language he used. It was false language and a false presentation.

“There are efforts abroad to undermine the integrity of Ireland’s position, to misrepresent Ireland’s position. We are conscious of that. We will always work to protect our economic interests and the national interest.” The Taoiseach added the Irish public has a “considered view” on the legislation, after an Irish Times poll found 38% of respondents believed there should be an investigation of the possible consequences of the bill.