Ireland has become the first European country to pass legislation banning the import and trade of goods produced in Israeli settlements located in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The legislation follows the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion on July 19, 2024, which declared Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories as illegal under international law.
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Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris, who introduced the bill, emphasized that the law does not target the State of Israel but rather seeks to uphold international human rights and legal norms.
“This legislation is a statement of Ireland’s commitment to justice, fairness, and the two-state solution,” Harris said. “We are targeting goods produced in illegal settlements, not Israeli products in general.”
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The new law, enacted under Ireland’s Customs Act 2015, criminalizes the import of goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements. Enforcement will rely on EU-recognized settlement postal codes to distinguish banned items from other legal imports.
Harris further stated that the Irish government hopes the legislation will inspire similar action across the European Union and beyond.
This landmark decision marks a significant escalation in European opposition to Israeli settlement activity and underscores Ireland’s longstanding support for Palestinian rights.
International rights groups and pro-Palestinian organizations have welcomed the move, viewing it as a critical step toward accountability and pressure for ending settlement expansion in occupied territories.
As international scrutiny grows over the legality and ethics of trade with settlements, Ireland’s precedent may pave the way for broader legislative actions in Europe.
