Ireland pushes ban on trade with Israeli firms in Palestinian territories

Ireland’s tanaiste (deputy prime minister), Simon Harris, announced on Saturday that the country will introduce a bill suspending trade with Israeli firms based in the occupied Palestinian territories. He said his government is set to push forward a formal decision on the legislation, known as the Occupied Territories Bill, on Tuesday.

Harris, also minister for foreign affairs, trade, and defense, expressed his hopes that the Committee of Foreign Affairs would begin reviewing the bill in June. He also condemned the starvation of children and the use of food as a weapon of war amid Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

Ireland’s tanaiste condemns the blockade of aid into Gaza

Next week, I will bring a memo to Government to advance legislation to prohibit imports from Occupied 🇵🇸 Territory following through on our commitment in the Programme for Government.

🇮🇪 will continue to speak with clarity and purpose, for peace & for a two state solution. pic.twitter.com/Bz2mvRBpAV

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 21, 2025

Israel has been accused of preventing thousands of aid lorries, including those funded by Irish Aid intended for over 6,000 Palestinians, from entering the strip for more than 80 days. Harris stressed that the world has to act and the world has not done nearly enough. He called for stronger international efforts to secure a ceasefire, release of hostages, and provide access to humanitarian aid.

Ireland’s prime minister also highlighted the EU’s recent move to review the EU-Israel Association Agreement, describing it as a step Ireland firmly supports. Harris also believes the review alone would not make a significant impact, championing for it to be suspended because it cannot be business as usual while there are blockades in Gaza.

“We call on Israel to fully lift its blockade and allow for unimpeded access of humanitarian aid at scale into Gaza, and we must see further sanctions if Israel does not end this military offensive. We call for urgent efforts to ensure an immediate ceasefire, and we call for the release of all remaining hostages”

–Simon Harris, Ireland Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The country’s minister of foreign affairs mentioned on Saturday that the bill would need to address legal and economic concerns. Ireland campaigners have suggested that the legislation be expanded to specifically target platforms such as Airbnb and other online letting services that advertise rental properties in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for tourists. 

Ireland wants the bill to target platforms advertising properties in Palestine

Ireland has previously maintained that, based on its legal advice, services cannot be included in the bill due to EU law. In an open letter addressed to Harris and Prime Minister Micheal Martin issued earlier last week, the country’s campaigners have argued that they obtained expert legal advice contradicting this position.

The letter was backed by 350 signatories who maintained that they do not consider there to be insurmountable legal obstacles under Irish, European, or international law that would prevent legislation banning the import of goods and services from Israeli settlements. The letter also highlighted deep concern over the Irish government’s continued failure to take necessary actions to comply with its international legal obligations about the crisis in Palestine.

It was reported that more than 700 rooms were being advertised in hotels, apartments, and other holiday rentals located in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, on major tourism platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com. The report added to growing criticism from human rights organizations against firms operating in these settlements.

Ireland has also conveyed its concerns over the potential political, diplomatic, and economic repercussions of moving forward with the bill. The U.S. has also highlighted its opposition to the proposed bill to the Irish government earlier this year. Pro-Israel lobby groups in the U.S. are said to have raised the issue with American politicians.

Ireland joins growing international pressure on Israel following the expansion of its military operations in Gaza and a two-month aid blockade that has derailed shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine in the Palestinian territory, igniting fears of famine.

The Occupied Territories Bill was first introduced in 2018 by Independent Sen. Frances Black, which seeks to ban the import of goods and services from areas deemed to violate international law, with a specific focus on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

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