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TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS has said he will bring a memo with details of the revised version of the Occupied Territories Bill to Cabinet next week.
The bill in its original form would have banned all trade with illegally occupied territories, including illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine. The revised bill, however, is not expected to cover services, just goods.
Harris, who is also minister for foreign affairs, said today that work on the legislation “is well progressed within my own department and it is my intention to bring a memorandum to Government on this next week”.
The government has faced consistent criticism from opposition parties and pro-Palestine activists for its failure to pass the bill, which was first introduced in 2018.
Explaining the changes made to the bill, he said: “The Government’s analysis was that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the Bill’s provisions in order to bring it in line with the Constitution and to try to reduce the risk of EU infringement procedures.”
Harris said that a ruling made by the International Court of Justice “largely confirmed Ireland’s legal analysis, as outlined in our submissions to the Court, that Israel’s settlement and related policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory amount to illegal annexation”.
Earlier today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the EU Israel Association Agreement with Israel should be suspended now, pending the review agreed by EU foreign ministers yesterday.
Speaking during Leaders’ Questions today, Martin said there is absolutely “no justification in any shape or form” for Israel’s actions which is causing immense death and destruction to an entire population.
Inflicting hunger on a civilian population “clearly constitutes a war crime”, he said.
Martin said he strongly welcomed the announcement yesterday that the EU is reviewing its association agreement with Israel, which governs its political and economic relationship.
“I actually believe the agreement should now be suspended, pending the review,” the Taoiseach told the Dáil.
He said this would be “a sign that there can be no business as usual”.
The speech of the Taoiseach in the Dáil today on Gaza can be viewed below:
Martin said he expects the review to be carried out speedily, adding that it should have real consequences for Israel.
He went on to state that “the time is now” for the suspension of the agreement, stating that stipulations in the agreement have “not been adhered to at all”.
Simon Harris agreed that the suspension of the agreement should happen now, pending the outcome of the review.
With reporting from David Mac Redmond
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