Ireland is Israel's second biggest trading partner — we need to look at why

Despite strong public support for sanctions, Ireland’s trade with Israel is booming — and multinationals are driving the growth

Activists drop banners recently across Dublin and Wicklow calling on Simon Harris to pass the Occupied Territories Bill. A national demo for peace and neutrality is taking place in Dublin on June 14.

Last May, Al Jazeera reported a list of Israel’s largest trading partners. Most members of the top 10 were not surprising. 

In 2024, the USA was by far the most significant, alongside prominent allies the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. China features in third place. However, Israel’s second most significant trading partner shocked many observers: its most ‘vocal’ European critic, Ireland.