Ireland seeks EU vote on package of economic sanctions on Israel

The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, so the tariffs could have far-reaching effects on Israel’s economy

Tánaiste Simon Harris said while the vote of the European Council would be deemed 'early' by that body’s standards, it would come some 23 months into Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Ireland will ask EU countries “which side of history they want to be on”, as the Government urges a vote on an EU package of economic sanctions on Israel.

Ireland has been seeking an early vote on a sanctions package proposed by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. It has spent some of UN High Level Week in New York urging EU partners to approve the sanctions.