Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, urging him to work with the opposition to pass the Occupied Territories Bill in the Dáil next week.
She said that next week’s Dáil schedule should be cleared to provide the necessary time to pass the legislation.
McDonald said that the “continued unlawful actions of the Israeli government and its genocidal violence inflicted on the people of Palestine” require a “strong response” from the Irish government.
She stated that it is “imperative that the legislation includes a ban on all trade with the illegal settlements – both goods and services – in line with commitments given previously and in line with international law”
The Dublin Central TD said, “the Minister for Foreign Affairs stated in the Dáil this week that she will progress the legislation in the coming weeks. We don’t need weeks. We can get the legislation passed next week if the required Dáil time is set aside. The government can make that happen. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have blocked this Bill for eight years. There is no excuse for any further delay.”
“Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza, its brutalisation of the Palestinians, and the persistence of the apartheid regime demands a strong response from the Irish government. Expressions of condemnation have never been enough. The time for talk is over. It’s time for meaningful action. That means passing the Occupied Territories Bill now. It is imperative that the legislation includes a ban on all trade with the illegal settlements – both goods and services – in line with commitments given previously and in line with international law,” McDonald asid.
“Failure to sanction Israel has only resulted in impunity for war crimes, endless human rights violations and the shredding of international law. The kidnapping, detention and brutal treatment of peaceful humanitarian activists, including fourteen Irish citizens, demonstrate again the urgent need for sanctions. This impunity must be brought to an end. Ireland must take the lead. The Government must act without any further delay and work with the Opposition to pass this Bill next week.”