Ireland Advances Bill to Ban Trade with Israeli Settlements

Ireland is moving forward with legislation to prohibit the importation of goods from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. The proposed law, formally titled the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill, received government approval and is expected to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny before potentially becoming law before the summer.

Background and Legislative Process

The initiative stems from a commitment in Ireland’s Programme for Government to legislate against trade with settlements, following an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice in July 2024. The bill builds upon a previous attempt, the 2018 Occupied Territories Bill, aiming to restrict trade with these settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris announced the publication of the General Scheme of the bill on June 25, 2025. He indicated that Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has been actively working on the legislation, consulting with the Attorney General Rossa Fanning to address legal complexities.

Scope of the Bill and Potential Limitations

The primary objective of the bill is to make the importation of goods from Israeli settlements a criminal offense under the Customs Act 2015, enabling the application of customs powers such as search, seizure and forfeiture.

Concerns have been raised regarding the bill’s scope, specifically whether it will encompass restrictions on services provided by settlements in addition to goods. The government has acknowledged the legal challenges associated with regulating services and has sought further advice from the Attorney General.

International Context and Advocacy

Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are widely considered illegal under international law, a position shared by the European Union and other international partners.

Organizations like ActionAid Palestine have urged the Irish government to pass the bill as a “moral obligation” to pressure Israel to halt settlement construction in the West Bank. They argue that the legislation could encourage other nations to take similar action and emphasize the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the occupied territories.

Recent Developments in the Region

While the bill progresses, the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory remains volatile. According to reports, at least 640 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since October, while Israel reports four soldier deaths. Gaza continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis, with concerns over aid delivery and ongoing violence despite a ceasefire agreement.

The Tánaiste has acknowledged that recent crises, including consular assistance for Irish citizens and the situation in the Gulf, have temporarily diverted attention from the bill, but reiterated the government’s commitment to its passage.