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 move follows the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on 19 July 2024, which declared Israeli settlements illegal under international law.
Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Simon Harris introduced the General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill, which has received government approval and now proceeds to the Oireachtas Committee for scrutiny.
Once enacted, importing goods from Israeli settlements will become a criminal offence under the Customs Act 2015. Irish customs authorities will gain powers to search, seize, and confiscate such imports. The system will rely on the Israeli postal code classification already used by the EU to distinguish settlement goods from those originating within Israel’s internationally recognised borders.
Harris stated:
“Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are illegal and threaten the viability of the two-State solution.”
He emphasised that the initiative aims to pressure the EU into collective action, saying:
“I have yet to see an adequate response at EU level.”
While the official statement used diplomatic language, Harris was more direct when speaking to reporters, asserting:
“Ireland is speaking up and speaking out against the genocidal activity in Gaza.”
Critics swiftly responded. Alan Shatter, a Jewish former Minister of Justice, denounced the legislation and its acronym, PIGS, calling it both legally flawed and morally offensive:
“This is the first time since Nazi Germany that a European government has promoted a law to specifically boycott Jewish-produced goods.”
Shatter argued the bill violates EU law and risks fuelling antisemitism under a legal guise.
The ICJ’s Advisory Opinion had urged states to “take concrete and effective measures” against Israeli settlements, including sanctions and cessation of support. Harris joined ministers from eight other EU countries in calling on the European Commission to develop a coordinated response aligned with the ICJ’s recommendations.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticised the move:
“It is regrettable that even when Israel is fighting an existential threat… there are those who can’t resist their anti-Israeli obsession.”
Photo credit: REUTERS/CLODAGH KILCOYNE
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