Government approve Occupied Territories Bill text, excluding services – "It's not enough," says Frances Black

The Government has approved the text of a bill which will ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements, which excludes a ban on services.

First introduced by Senator Frances Black in 2018, the Occupied Territories Bill would ban trade between Ireland and Israel’s illegal settlements in the West Bank.

"What Government has announced today is essentially a partial ban on trade with the illegal Israeli settlements", said Black online.

"Seeking to ban the import of physical goods like fruit and vegetables, shamefully stolen from Palestinian farmers in the occupied West Bank, is important and necessary and was included in my original legislation. But it's not enough. It omits the majority of Irish trade, in intangible services like tech and IT, which would greatly undermine the scope of the legislation".

Opposition parties, including the Social Democrats, the Labour Party, and Sinn Féin, urged the Government to include a ban on services in occupied Palestinian territories as part of the Occupied Territories Bill.

"The Government has been dragged kicking and screaming by public and opposition pressure to take any amount of credible action on Palestine", said Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. I welcome that there is finally a firm commitment to pass the OTB, but it is shameful that this has taken so long".

"However, the decision to exclude a ban on services means that the Bill will not have teeth - this is a half measure designed to quell the public outcry at the abuse of Global Sumud Flotilla members by Israeli forces last week".

Under international law, such settlements from Israel are illegal as they violate Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the transfer of an occupying power’s civilian population into occupied territory.

Labour's Foreign Affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith has welcomed the decision to bring the OTB to cabinet today, but warned that the Government must ensure the legislation includes both goods and services if it is to have any meaningful impact.

"The Legislation must include both goods and services", stated Smith. Leaving services out would seriously undermine the impact and credibility of this Bill. Companies operating in Ireland cannot be allowed to continue providing tech services, tourism services or other forms of commercial support to illegal settlements while the Government claims to be taking a stand for international law and human rights. If services are excluded, the Bill risks becoming symbolic rather than effective".

"People in Ireland have been steadfast in their support for the people of Palestine from the very beginning. Communities across the country have marched, organised and demanded action from the Government. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael must now act with urgency and ensure the Occupied Territories Bill includes goods and services in full".

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has expressed his concern that failing to provide a ban on goods and services would be a "cynical act of sabotage".

"The government, by excluding services, is knowingly and willingly blunting the impact of this legislation against the Israeli state", said Ó Laoghgaire.

"I am deeply disappointed at this response, and by the Government, who have delayed and delayed this legislation for years, and now, when they finally bring the legislation forward, it is legislation that has been stripped completely of its power and its purpose".

The OTB does not have a confirmed implementation date yet, but Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee has said the Government is aiming to pass the legislation before the Dáil's recess in July.