ISRAEL’S LATEST PROSPECTUS for the issuance of government bonds has been approved by Luxembourg, rather than the Irish Central Bank. 

Government bonds – like those sold by Israel – are generally sold to investors on international stock exchanges. Their sale is facilitated by central banks.

In a document published by the Israeli government today, it noted that bonds would be sold in the European Economic Area by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (CSSF).

The move comes on the same day that the Irish Central Bank’s authorisation for the sale of Israeli bonds, often referred to as “war bonds”, expires. 

The Central Bank’s role in the issuance of the bonds, which Israel advertises as a way to support the state at a time of war, has been a highly contentious political issue in Ireland. 

The Irish Central Bank had said it could only halt the sale of bonds where it had the legal basis to do so, when sanctions are introduced against the country (Israel in this case) at an EU level or where there are “National restrictive measures to the same effect”. 

The Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) described today’s development as a “huge victory” after a year of activists fighting for the change being “stonewalled”.

The group has also demanded that the government confirm that Ireland “will have absolutely no further involvement with Israel genocide-funding bonds”.

“Specifically we ask the Government to clarify if Ireland remains the ‘home member state’ for Israel Bonds under the transfer arranged by the Central Bank,” they said in a statement.

The Central Bank’s position had been disputed by many, including opposition politicians. 

Sinn Féin’s finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty welcomed the news today, saying it “shows what people can achieve even without the support of their government”. 

Israeli war bonds will no longer be sold in Ireland.

This has been stopped by the hard work of campaigners. I commend you all.

It shows what people can acheive even without the support of their government.

The genocide in Gaza won't stop until Israel face real sanctions for…

— Pearse Doherty (@PearseDoherty) September 1, 2025

In a statement, Doherty said: “Despite the government’s refusal to act, the hard work of ordinary people across this country who stood up and said ‘not in my name’ has made the difference and forced Israel to find another country willing to facilitate its fundraising for genocide.”

Doherty was joined in welcoming the move by independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly, who said it was “an important and overdue step”. 

I welcome the decision that the Central Bank is to end authorisation of Israeli bond documentation.

It is an important and overdue step.

Ireland must now go further - from full adoption of the Occupied Territories Bill to stronger action at EU & UN level.

— Connolly for President (@catherinegalway) September 1, 2025

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy also praised the work of activists, which he credited with today’s “win”. 

Related Reads

Central Bank called on to conduct review ahead of Israeli bond prospectus renewal next month

Gary Gannon launches legal action against Central Bank over approval of Israeli bonds

Why are pro-Palestine groups calling for Ireland to prevent the sale of Israeli 'war bonds'?

“I salute the activists that achieved this and I condemn again the complicity of the Irish government in their failure to act on this issue,” Murphy said.

“The tenacity of the activists stands in stark contrast to the weasel words of Simon Harris and the government”.

He said it was the global Palestine solidarity movement that “has achieved this important win”.

“It is that movement that will overcome the complicity of Western and other governments and it is the movement that will eventually achieve the disarming and dismantling of the state Israel.”

There have been multiple protests outside the Central Bank since the conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out in October 2023. 

The scale of the killing and devastation in Gaza since then has piled pressure on the Irish government to take concrete action against Israel for its war on the Palestinian territory, which Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris have called genocidal. 

The pressure on the Irish government and Central Bank had been set to reach a high point today, but Israel has taken the decision out of their hands and relieved that pressure unilaterally.