Irish Government urged to 'hold its resolve' and pass the Occupied Territories Bill

Displaced people flee northern Gaza in Palestine by foot and in vehicles along the coastal road toward southern Gaza on Sunday. Picture: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

The Government has been urged to “hold its resolve” to pass the Occupied Territories Bill, as a new report suggests that major EU companies are contributing to humanitarian crises in Palestinian territory.

Over 80 international civil society organisations, including Oxfam and Christian Aid, have published the Stop Trade with Settlements report, which sets out how trade with illegal Israeli settlements is “directly contributing to the oppression, dispossession and impoverishment” of Palestinians.

Christian Aid Ireland’s head of policy and advocacy Conor O’Neill said: 

We have a crucial opportunity now to get this right, and ensure that an emerging new EU standard is effective. 

The long-discussed Occupied Territories Bill proposes a ban on imports into Ireland from settlements in the West Bank that are occupied by Israel illegally under international law.

A sticking point in the Government’s proposals has been its approach to prohibit the importation of goods only, rather than including goods and services.

Pro-Palestinian protests during the 21st stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid in  Spain on Sunday. Picture: Andrea Comas/AP

The report on the topic suggests that major companies are profiting from trade in the occupied territories, including Spanish company eDreams Odigeo.

One of the biggest travel companies in the world, it offers hotels and accommodation in illegal Israel settlements, as does German travel firm Tui, which offers holiday tours, the report said.

Foreign banks BNP Paribas, HSBC, and Barclays also continue to finance trade in the region through loans and financial support, the report claimed.

Supporters of the report say it strengthens calls to also include services within Ireland’s legislative proposals.

Jim Clarke, chief executive of Oxfam Ireland, said that trading with illegal settlements is “bankrolling atrocity and sustaining an economy of genocide”.

A rally in support of Palestine in Cork city centre. Picture: Karlis Dzjamko

“The Irish Government must hold its resolve against economic interests that seek to weaken its response,” he said. “The Irish people refuse to be complicit in illegal occupation. If ever there was a time for human life and survival to outweigh short-term economic considerations, it is now.”

Meanwhile, Tánaiste Simon Harris is seeking clarity from the European Commission around how quickly it will sanction Israel over its actions in Gaza and the West Bank, following Ursula von der Leyen’s confirmation last week that she will bring forward a package of measures in response to Israel’s actions.

The Tánaiste has asked counterparts in other EU countries, which are considering unilateral moves on trade measures, to co-sign a letter to the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urging swift consideration of a package of measures at the EU Foreign Affairs Council.