The Israeli Settlements Prohibition of Importation of Goods Bill “must include services to be effective”, the former Senator who pioneered the legislation has argued. 

Previously known as the Occupied Territories Bill, the legislation was introduced into the Oireachtas in 2018 by independent Senator Frances Black. 

If passed, it would ban trade between Ireland and Israel's occupied territories in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

In the Programme for Government, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael promised to “progress” the bill and today it comes before Cabinet for approval. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Ms Black described the bill as a “really important step” and one that she “really welcomes”. 

“After years of what I would say are unnecessary delays, we urgently need this key action now,” she said. 

“I have to be clear on this, the legislation agreed by Cabinet today is still only a draft. 

“But the Tánaiste has committed, both to me and publicly, that the Government are willing to include services in the final bill if we can get the legal details right.” 

Israeli Settlements in the West Bank. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Ms Black continued that she is “100% certain” that this can be done. 

“I’m going to hold him to that promise,” she said. 

“I know the bill will be going to committee scrutiny and the Foreign Affairs Committee will get this draft to read it. 

“They will give feedback and recommend any changes before it is even finished or finalised.

“So, it’s essential that the final legislation must include services to be effective.” 

Israeli children flying kites on Mount Gerizim in the West Bank. Picture by: Alamy.com.

An estimated 700,000 Israeli settlers currently live in settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which were seized by the IDF in 1967 during the Six Day War. 

Pro-Palestinain activists argue that boycotting goods from these settlements would encourage the Israeli State to withdraw from them.

“Last year, the International Court of Justice said very clearly that the Israeli settlements are illegal and that all countries must end all trade with them,” Ms Black said. 

“That means physical goods - like grapes and oranges - and services - like tech and IT. 

“That is the standard that the Government needs to meet.” 

Today Ireland becomes the first country in Europe to bring forward legislation to ban trade with the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Ireland is speaking up and speaking out against the genocidal activity in Gaza.
Every country must pull every lever at its disposal. pic.twitter.com/Z4RTjqntEY

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 24, 2025

Opponents of the boycott argue that it will not bring peace to the Middle East. 

In 2020, the then US Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Elan Carr described a boycott of Israeli settlements as antisemitic because “typically these boycotters of Israel don't boycott anybody else”. 

“There are horrendous human rights abusers in the world - Israel is not one of them," he argued.

Main image: Frances Black at Leinster House. Picture by: Alamy.com.