Bacik presses for full trade ban with illegal settlements

Labour Leader Ivana Bacik TD has called on the Government to immediately legislate for a full ban on trade in both goods and services with illegal Israeli settlements. Speaking in the Dáil during Leaders’ Questions this week, Deputy Bacik referenced a moving protest outside Leinster House organised by Grannies for Palestine, highlighting the staggering number of Palestinian children killed in Gaza since October 2023. She urged the Taoiseach to show leadership and pass the Occupied Territories Bill in full before the Dáil breaks for the summer.

Deputy Bacik said:

“Last week, I joined the Grannies for Palestine event on Kildare Street, where they unveiled a crochet banner to represent the tens of thousands of Gazan children killed by Israel’s genocidal war. This was more than a vigil – it was a demand for action. It is unconscionable that Ireland continues to trade with illegal settlements. The Taoiseach’s response today was frankly unsatisfactory.

“This Government has acknowledged the reality of genocide in Gaza. Ireland has supported the UN resolution for a ceasefire. It has recognised the State of Palestine. And just last month, the Tánaiste joined other EU foreign ministers to call for an EU-wide trade ban with settlements. But despite this, the Government’s own Bill falls short – because it excludes services.

“That omission is not a technicality. The Department of Foreign Affairs has admitted that excluding services from a ban leaves Ireland only partially compliant with international law. That is not good enough. Under the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, and under EU law, Ireland is obliged to end all economic complicity in war crimes. That includes services.

“Experts like Gráinne Ní Blinne have said it clearly – states have the right and duty to act. Former Israeli leaders have compared their own government’s actions to those of a concentration camp. If Ireland does not act now, we are complicit.

“This is a modest, proportionate step. The vast majority of companies in Ireland do not trade with settlements. For those few that do – like Airbnb – the volume is negligible. This will not harm investment or trade. It is simply the right thing to do.

“As we approach the summer recess, I urge the Taoiseach to commit to ban all trade with the Occupied Territories and to continue pushing for a stronger stance form the EU on the genocide in Gaza. Now is the time for action.”