GREEN PARTY LEADER Roderic O’Gorman has said a plan on how to progress the Occupied Territories Bill, which would ban trade between Ireland and illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine, could go before Cabinet as early as next week.
Government leaders sought updated legal advice on the Bill following an advisory ruling to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July that said Israeli settlements in occupied areas of Palestine breach international law.
Following a briefing by the Attorney General to leaders last night, O’Gorman and Taoiseach Simon Harris believe that legislation to deal with trade from occupied territories should be passed by TDs in this Government’s life time.
O’Gorman told reporters this morning that the Attorney General will be providing the three leaders with written advice later this week.
“I hope that we’ll be in a position to bring a plan as to how we go forward to Cabinet soon, maybe as soon as as next week,” he said. The minister added that it is a “legally complex” matter.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin signalled that more work might need to be completed on the legislation.
He outlined that the International Court of Justice identifies the occupation of Palestine as illegal and says states should not do anything that would support it.
“So that offers a more clearer way forward, although there are still challenges and the existing bill would need to be redrafted and amended very substantively,” he said, adding that there are still constitutionality issues.
“But definitely the ICJ changes the context in which one can proceed,:” he added.
The initial review of the law, which was originally drafted in 2018, was determining whether or not the trade ban fell in line with EU laws and treaties.
Speaking to reporters this morning, O’Gorman said: “It’s the Green Party’s position that Ireland shouldn’t be trading with the occupied territories. And we want to see that position advanced in the remaining lifetime of this Government.”
The Taoiseach agreed that he would like this Government to “make progress” on the Bill and that he is willing to work “across the political divide” to do so.
At a European Council meeting that the Taoiseach is due to attend this week, Harris said his message to European leaders will be very clear.
“We’re not going to wait for everyone in Europe to develop a consensus on this. If there’s more Ireland can do, Ireland will absolutely not be found wanting,” he said.
Recently councillors from Fine Gael, other Government parties and a coalition of parties from opposition, in both Cork and Dublin city councils, have passed motions calling on the leaders to pass the Occupied Territories Bill.
While Harris said Ireland is willing to take its own action, he said it is his preference that EU member states move together on the issue, though he admitted that “there has not been majority support for that in Europe”.
He said he and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez have consistently raised the issue of sanctioning Israeli settlements with the European Council, and will do so again in Brussels tomorrow.
The Tánaiste confirmed that not all parties in the EU are in favour of sanctioning illegal Israeli settlements, adding that some ministers at yesterday’s Foreign Affairs Council “are very strongly supportive of Israel no matter what”.
He detailed that the European ministers were “divided” and that it was “disappointing” that the group were unable to draft a statement condemning the attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon for two days.
“I think one member state held out. And that illustrates the challenges one has in respect of a revision of the EU Israel trade association,” he said.
The Tánaiste added: “But the majority of EU member states, the vast majority, want an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and also in Lebanon, and a de-escalation, because situation is very, very dangerous.”
The Occupied Territories Bill along with arms being supplied to Israel from countries such as the United States was raised in the Dáil during Leaders’ Questions today.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik said: “Let us act now. Passing the Bill is the next step we must take. It would represent a real stand against Israel’s genocidal actions. The Taoiseach would have the support of all in opposition in this House and the Upper House.”
The Taoiseach responded: “We saw particularly vicious and despicable attacks and targeting of refugee camps and civilian targets over the weekend. This is deeply shocking. While all of this is going on, we cannot allow the world to forget about Gaza.
“We cannot forget about the fact that what I believe in is happening in Gaza is still a war on children.”
People Before Profit Richard Boyd Barrett rounded on the Taoiseach, asking Harris why the Taoiseach did he not publicly condemn the US for supplying arms to Israel.
“Why did he not tell the US that its military was not welcome in Shannon Airport while it was arming genocidal atrocities? What is he going to do to stop the munitions for these atrocities, massacres and crimes going through Irish airspace?” he asked.
Harris said he would not accept the charge that the government is not taking action in terms of calling out breaches of international law, standing up for human rights, supporting the people of Palestine, recognising the State of Palestine and supporting our peacekeepers.
“Quite frankly, I find it stomach-churning to hear Deputy Boyd Barrett suggesting we do not do that because that is absolutely what we do,” he said.
Boyd Barrett accused the Taoiseach of having a “quiet chat” with US President Joe Biden, while People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy continually asked if the Taoiseach specifically asked the US president to stop arming Israel.
Harris said he spoke to Biden for approximately 58 minutes, stating: “I know exactly what I spoke to the President of the United States about.”
The Taoiseach said he made the point to President Biden that he makes in public and private.
“All countries should use all levers to bring about a ceasefire and that includes the issue of weapons. I made that clear. On munitions, we are clear as to what can and cannot happen over Irish airspace. It is expressly prohibited for civilian aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport. No such exemptions have been granted,” he said.
He confirmed that a Dáil debate on Irish airspace being used for arms ammunition transportation will take place.
With reporting by Christina Finn
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