As the UK government welcomed US president Donald Trump to its shores this week, Ireland put its neighbours to shame by taking a brave stand against illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine.
On 11 July, Ireland moved forward with a bill to ban products from the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The country’s Seanad (upper house) passed the bill with 25 in favour, 20 against, and 14 [paywall] abstentions. It will also need to pass in the Dáil (lower house) in order to become law.
If passed, the legislation would prevent [paywall]:
the import and sales of goods, services and natural resources originating in illegal settlements in occupied territories.
Ireland advances a bill banning Israeli products made in illegal settlements. #Israel #BDS https://t.co/PITX6qrWVs pic.twitter.com/LITlbez4UQ
— Mondoweiss (@Mondoweiss) July 12, 2018
“A first step, but an important one”
Independent senator Frances Black, who sponsored [paywall] the bill, tweeted:
this is a first step, but an important one. Today we state strongly: Ireland will always stand for [international] humanitarian law, justice & human rights. Onwards.
She had previously explained why people should get behind the bill, saying:
In the occupied territories, people are forcibly kicked out of their homes, fertile farming land is seized, and the fruit and vegetables produced are then sold on Irish shelves to pay for it all…
These settlements are war crimes, and it’s time for Ireland to show some leadership and refuse to support them.
On July 11th, my bill to ban illegal #SettlementGoods is in the Seanad. We're close to a historic move for justice in #Palestine, but I need your help! Plz take 2m to ask your TDs & Senators to support the bill: https://t.co/p4DXCOH5tU @trocaire @ChristianAidIrl @irishcongress pic.twitter.com/2x3PuOZDBW
— Frances Black (@frances_black) June 27, 2018
The bill had also received support from high-profile public figures like Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters:
On stage in Dublin, @rogerwaters urges support for my Occupied Territories Bill – ending trade in #SettlementGoods produced on occupied Palestinian land. Thanks for the support Roger 👍🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/df95OshogH
— Frances Black (@frances_black) June 27, 2018
“Ireland setting a fantastic example!”
People on social media soon responded to the Seanad victory with thanks and praise for Black and her colleagues:
https://twitter.com/AndrianaP_Lee/status/1017186521982484480
Thank you!
— Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive) July 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/bobby9496/status/1017077105027362816
Well done Frances, an emotional moment. My Palestinian friends are thankful and delighted x
— Dara Malone (@ShearmanDara) July 11, 2018
Ireland is putting its UK neighbours to shame
The Seanad vote comes in the wake of Israel’s massacre of at least 60 Palestinian protesters in Gaza on 14 May, and the overall murder of over 120 Palestinian civilians in recent months – offences which have attracted UN condemnation. Amid allegations of war crimes in both the West Bank and Gaza, there is every reason to hold Israel to account. That’s why, from Spain to Ireland, cities are taking firm action against Israel.
The UK government, however, has taken Israel’s side, failing miserably to hold its ally to account. It’s currently schmoozing with Donald Trump – the man whose actions have only worsened the situation in Palestine.
Ireland, on the other hand, is leading the way. By taking real steps to hold Israel to account for its human rights abuses in Palestine, it’s putting its British neighbours to shame.
Get Involved!
– Support the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign. Also, find out more about the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, and see previous Canary articles on Israel.
– UK citizens can write to their national or local politicians to share their concerns and demand action.
Featured image via Ralf Peter Reimann
