Irish people 'complicit in genocide' if Occupied Territories Bill not enacted, Taoiseach told

Just one email, out of a sample of 50 pieces of correspondence released, asked Micheál Martin not to pass the legislation, urging him to consider 'making a political statement at the expense of real Irish workers'. Picture: Leah Farrell/ RollingNews.ie

Members of the public told the Taoiseach Irish people would be “complicit in genocide” if the Government did not enact the Occupied Territories Bill and stop the sale of Israeli bonds.

New documents released to the Irish Examiner under Freedom of Information (FOI) laws show Micheál Martin was implored to fully ban imports from illegally occupied Palestinian territories.

Just one email, out of a sample of 50 pieces of correspondence released, asked Mr Martin not to pass the legislation, urging him to consider “making a political statement at the expense of real Irish workers”.

The Government is progressing legislation that will ban the importation of goods from Israeli settlements in Palestine. The plans, approved by Cabinet in May, have been criticised by the opposition for not going far enough as it does not include services.

Correspondence sent to the Taoiseach showed members of the public calling for the Occupied Territories Bill to be passed.

One writer said “diplomatic pressure has been put on the Government by the Americans and other Israel-aligned groups to scupper the bill”.

“But this is not the time for kowtowing to other countries’ special interest groups. This is the time for clear and decisive moral action — the display of a little national dignity and backbone,” they added.

Another person said the Government had “left it too late” and should have implemented it before Donald Trump was re-elected US president.

“Stop kowtowing to this maniac, will make no difference,” they said.

Another person called on the Government to “enact the OT Bill now” and “do whatever you can with trade embargo’s” [sic].

“As an Irish person, I am now complicit in a genocide because we are not doing enough,” they said.

Another writer told Mr Martin that “economic considerations should be set aside”.

However, one concerned worker urged the Government to reconsider, adding they worked for a US multinational and expressed concerns about the impacts it would have.

“While I understand and respect the desire to express strong moral stances, it is my view that policies should be crafted with careful consideration of their practical consequences,” they said.

As a citizen who cannot afford the luxury of symbolic gestures at the cost of real jobs and investment, I am asking you to reconsider the approach being taken.

“Ireland has always been proud to lead with its values on the world stage. However, the Occupied Territories Bill risks making a political statement at the expense of real Irish workers — people like me who rely on US-Ireland business relationships for our families’ security.”

The public also called on the Taoiseach to stop the facilitation of Israeli war bonds through the Central Bank of Ireland. The Government has stated this cannot be done under EU treaties.

The Government voted against a Sinn Féin motion to end the sales. This led to further correspondence being sent to Mr Martin.

Several writers said the Government was “complicit” in Israel’s genocide by not stopping the bond sales.

“Our Government's passive complicity is a stain on our proud history of standing against oppression,” one person said.

Another wrote: “While the Irish Government mostly say the right words, it's your actions — or inactions — that speak the real truth."