A hot-air boycott

THE concern that Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath has about Israel and the plight of Palestinians is shared by many in Ireland.

THE concern that Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath has about Israel and the plight of Palestinians is shared by many in Ireland, where widespread support for diplomatic recognition of Palestine, along with a two-state solution, transcends party political lines. He underlines his dismay by supporting calls for economic sanctions — a trade boycott — he imagines would soften Israel’s approach to the problem.

Such a boycott might have symbolic value — it would make many feel better — but in practical terms it would be little more than small beer. Israel isn’t on the list of Ireland’s top 10 trade partners. It accounts for a mere 1.3% of our export income. While it is fair to acknowledge that Israel increased its product purchases from Ireland by more than 500% from 2009 to 2016, it would have no difficulty in finding replacement markets for the goods it needs and wants.