LONDON

Ireland is set to become one of the first Western countries to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, in a move Tanaiste (Foreign Minister) Simon Harris said he hopes it will inspire other European nations to take similar action.

On Tuesday, Harris secured Cabinet approval to draft legislation banning the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine.

The proposed law will now move to the next stage of the legislative process, with the “heads” of the bill — summaries of each section — expected to be sent to the foreign affairs committee for pre-legislative scrutiny as early as next month.

The legislation, though narrower in scope than the original 2018 Occupied Territories Bill tabled by Independent Senator Frances Black, marks a significant shift in Ireland’s foreign policy stance.

While the earlier bill had called for a full ban on both goods and services from illegal settlements, the current proposal focuses on trade in physical goods.

Speaking to reporters, Harris said the government’s plans were “in line” with an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and described the proposed legislation as “in many ways […] a small measure.”

“But it is imperative on all countries to do all that we can to maximize the pressure and conditions to bring about a ceasefire because the scale of humanitarian disaster is almost unimaginable, is certainly unconscionable and certainly is a war crime,” he said.

“And what I hope today is when this small country in Europe takes the decision to become one of the very first countries – and probably the first country in the western world to consider legislation in this space I do hope it inspires other European countries to join us.”

Harris also thanked independent Senator Frances Black for her “constructive engagement” on the issue of including services in the trade ban.

“Contrary to the misrepresentation of this by some in Opposition there isn’t a policy difference. We’re all equally appalled and sickened at what’s happening in Gaza. It is a war crime, it is genocidal activity.”

Speaking before the Cabinet meeting, Taoiseach (prime minister) Micheal Martin also contextualized the planned legislation within what he described as “the ongoing horrors that are occurring in Gaza.”

“The indiscriminate bombing of innocent civilians and the killing of families and the destruction of entire households is beyond any moral compass,” he said.

“There’s an urgency on the entire world to put pressure on Israel to bring this war to an immediate end.”

Black, whose original bill laid the groundwork for the new legislation, welcomed Tuesday’s development but said further steps are needed.

“The decision today by government is a really important and welcome step, but our work is not done yet,” she said. “I’m relieved we are finally seeing some action” after “seven years of delay.”

“The onus is now on government to act with the urgency this moment demands – to stand firmly against the horrific war crimes being committed both in Gaza and the West Bank.”

She added that the final version of the legislation must meet the standards set in her original proposal and reflect the guidance of the ICJ.

“We need to see a full ban on all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, which includes both physical goods like fruit and veg, but also intangible services like tech and IT,” Black said.