Ireland Passes Bill Banning Goods from Israeli Settlements

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Dublin: Irish parliament has passed revolutionary legislation prohibiting the import of items made in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, becoming one of the first European Union countries to do so. Following its passage through the lower house, the bill is now on its way to being signed into law.

The legislation prohibits imports from specific Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. The Irish government says that the bill is based on the International Court of Justice's 2024 advisory opinion, which determined Israel's occupation of Palestinian areas to be illegal under international law.

The government rejected opposition plans to broaden the ban to include services, stating that regulating services would be more legally complex and may subject the law to court challenges. Ministers stated that the current measure is intended to be legally robust and comply with European Union regulations.

The action has sparked severe criticism from Israel, which has repeatedly resisted such measures, while advocates argue it strengthens Ireland's long-standing opposition to Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.