A GROUP OF US politicians have urged the US treasury secretary Scott Bessent to examine if the Irish Government’s proposed ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine would breach American anti-boycott laws.

Sixteen US congress members have signed a letter calling for the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025, which seeks to ban the trade of goods between Ireland and Israeli settlements, to be investigated.

Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, for New York, is leading the group of politicians. The letter references the US anti-boycott laws, which seek to oppose boycotts against America and its allies. 

Should the US find the Irish ban constitutes a ‘foreign boycott’, America may take action to counteract the ban and include Ireland on a purported ‘boycott list’, potentially suspending future US business deals in Dublin and elsewhere.

The Irish government has been aware for a number of years that the anti-boycott movement in the US, made up of a number of American politicians, would take issue with the Occupied Territories Bill.

The group’s letter reads: “This measure is part of a broader effort aligned with the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to economically isolate Israel.

“Such policies not only promote economic discrimination but also create legal uncertainty for U.S. companies operating in Ireland.”

It added that the Irish ban on trade between illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine would “not only promote economic discrimination but also create legal uncertainty for US companies operating in Ireland”.

It added: “We encourage the Treasury Department to assess whether Ireland’s proposal indicate that they require or may require participation in or encouragement of an international boycott within the meaning of [US anti-boycott mechanisms].”

Speaking to The Journal prior to the general election in November, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the US embassy have previously expressed concern over the ban, but that Ireland was clear in its position on the matter.

He said: “I had already made the decision, prior to that communication. I was aware of that it’s not a new concern [from the US]. That’s been there a long time.

“It’s not a surprise that the US Embassy would communicate that, they communicated that five or six years ago, and that’s been a standard position.

“Our position is that it relates to the Occupied Territories, not to Israel. And that might be a point of difference in the US, because, in the US, people might look at it differently – but we have a very clear view of it here.”

Politicians on the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee last month recommended that trade of services should be included in the law. 

Chairperson of the committee, Fianna Fáil’s John Lahart, said while the Bill has been described as largely symbolic, it remains “important”.

He added that Ireland’s reputation has been tarnished by some, stating that there have been smears and lies said about the country due to the position it has taken on this piece of legislation.

With reporting by Christina Finn