Ireland has become the first European country to introduce legislation banning trade and imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The announcement was made by Irish Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Simon Harris on Wednesday, marking a bold step in support of international law and Palestinian rights.
The new legislative proposal, titled The General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill, has already secured government approval.
The bill will now proceed to the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny, moving one step closer to becoming law.
The decision to introduce this bill was influenced by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which on July 19, 2024, issued an Advisory Opinion declaring Israeli settlements illegal under international law.
According to the Irish government’s statement, the ICJ’s advisory opinion provided strong legal justification for taking concrete action against economic ties with Israeli settlements.
Once enacted, the law will criminalize any importation of goods from the settlements under the Customs Act of 2015, granting Irish customs officials the authority to search, seize, and confiscate prohibited items.
To enforce the ban, Ireland will rely on the existing Israeli settlement postal code system used by the European Union to distinguish between products originating from Israel proper and those from the occupied territories.
Minister Harris stated that the ongoing suffering in Palestine remains a matter of grave concern to the Irish public and government.
He emphasized Ireland’s determination to utilize every available tool to support a peaceful and sustainable resolution based on the two-state solution.
Harris reinforced the position that Israeli settlements are illegal and endanger the viability of establishing a future Palestinian state.
He highlighted that this stance aligns with the longstanding position of the European Union and many international partners.
Despite this alignment, Harris expressed frustration over the lack of decisive EU-wide action following the ICJ’s opinion.
He pledged to continue lobbying at the European level for broader legislative frameworks to halt trade with Israeli settlements.
The proposed Irish law, according to Harris, represents a “significant step forward” and a model for other countries to emulate.
He acknowledged the intense domestic interest the legislation has generated and welcomed the forthcoming deliberations with Irish lawmakers and civil society.
While the government statement struck a measured legal tone, Harris’s remarks to reporters were far more pointed.
He openly condemned what he described as “genocidal activity” in Gaza, stating that Ireland has a moral obligation to act.
Harris expressed hope that Ireland’s legislative move would inspire similar initiatives among other nations.
He reiterated that all governments must use every mechanism at their disposal to oppose injustice and uphold international law.
The bill, however, has faced sharp criticism from some quarters, including from former Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter.
Shatter condemned the bill and mocked its acronym—PIGS (Prohibition of Importation of Goods from Settlements)—as offensive and tone-deaf.
He accused the government of reviving discriminatory policies reminiscent of those used during the Nazi era to boycott Jewish businesses.
Shatter further argued that the bill contravenes European Union law and described it as “not legally kosher.”
The legal basis of Ireland’s action stems from the ICJ’s 2024 Advisory Opinion, which found Israel’s settlement activity to be in breach of Article 49(6) of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The ICJ called on member states to take “concrete and effective measures” against Israel’s settlement policy.
These measures include halting unconditional economic, military, and technological support to Israel and punishing violations in line with existing international treaties.
Following the ICJ opinion, Ireland joined several EU countries—including Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden—in urging the European Commission to propose collective EU action against settlement imports.
In response, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the Irish initiative and accused critics of harboring anti-Israeli bias even as Israel faces existential threats.
Despite the backlash, Ireland appears undeterred in its resolve to align its trade practices with international humanitarian law.
As the bill moves through legislative processes, it may set a precedent for other democracies wrestling with how to balance trade relations, human rights, and international obligations.
Ireland’s action not only reflects a growing global concern over Israel’s occupation policies but also reignites the conversation about economic accountability in the pursuit of justice and peace in the Middle East.