THE IRISH CENTRAL Bank’s authorisation of the sale of Israeli State bonds, dubbed ‘war bonds’ by opponents, expires today. 

The government has been urged by TDs and Senators to engage with the EU to amend the law so the Irish Central Bank can refuse to facilitate the sale of the bonds. 

The Oireachtas Finance Committee, whose membership includes government TDs and senators, published a review in August on Israeli bonds, which included recommendations for both the Irish government and the Central Bank. 

Today, Sinn Féin’s Mairéad Farrell, who chairs the committee, said the Central Bank must refuse to renew its “facilitation of Israeli war bonds” given Israel’s actions in Gaza, which have resulted in a man-made famine.

“We’ve seen untold levels of death and destruction carried out by the IDF on a helpless civilian population. Gaza is now in a severe state of famine as the IDF and Israeli government have been blocking the entry of food aid.

“We know the money that is raised via the Central Bank’s facilitation of these bonds is being used for military purposes and to support the ongoing genocide. Ireland has obligations under the Genocide Convention that are not being met,” she said this morning.

“These war bonds are now coming up for renewal. The time has come for the Central Bank and the government to say no more.”

There have been numerous protests against the Central Bank’s role in “facilitating genocide”, as well as a defeated motion tabled by Sinn Féin that would have prevented the sale of such bonds.