According to Taoiseach Simon Harris, Ireland is “not going to wait for consensus” from other European countries about commerce with Israel’s illegal settlements, reports RTE.
It comes after the Attorney General informed the three leaders of the Government party that a new framework had been established for analysing the Occupied Territories Bill.
Trade between Ireland and Israel’s unlawful settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories would be prohibited by the bill.
Independent Senator Frances Black presented the measure, which had already received support from the Seanad and Dáil, reports RTE.
Mr. Harris asked for fresh legal guidance on the Bill in the last few weeks.
Attorney General Rossa Fanning now feels that there are more compelling legal reasons to reconsider the Bill in light of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in July that Israel had violated international law by establishing settlements and exploiting natural resources in Palestinian areas, reports RTE.
The leaders of the government party were informed that several revisions could be necessary before the law is passed and that there are still complicated legal difficulties.
Next week, the Cabinet will get formal written advice, which is seen as an indication that the Bill is finally moving forward.
Speaking on his way into a Cabinet meeting, Mr Harris said: “Tomorrow, I will attend the European Council, and my 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, and I’d be willing to work with people across the political divide in relation to this,” reports RTE.
According to the Taoiseach, the European majority has not supported cutting off trade with Israel.
“It’s always been my preference to move at a European level in relation to this. Myself and my Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, have consistently raised at the European Council table the need for Europe to move in terms of ceasing trade with Israel until there’s a ceasefire and an end to this violence. There has not been majority support for that in Europe,” reports RTE.
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