IRELAND is reconsidering trade cooperation with Israel. Irish PM Simon Harris said his country would impose trade restrictions with Israel on products originating from the West Bank.
Ireland, said Harris, also called for the same thing from the European Union. Even so, Ireland will not wait for the EU’s decision to unilaterally suspend trade with Israel. This refers to the opinion of the International Court regarding the annexation of the Palestinian territories.
“Ireland now, in the context of the ICJ (International Court of Justice) advisory opinion last July, will not wait for everyone in Europe to move on the issue of trade in the occupied Palestinian territories,” Harris told reporters in Brussels ahead of the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council summit .
Ireland’s Attorney General will also issue his own formal advice on the issue next week to consider what policy Ireland will take.
“We want to see whether it is now possible to move forward on trade restrictions, in terms of the occupied Palestinian territories, bearing in mind the obligations imposed by the ICJ Advisory Opinion on all of us to do everything we can to end the illegal and unlawful occupation,” Harris said quoted Euronews.
Dublin’s decision comes as a call from the EU to convene an Association Council with Israel to discuss the country’s compliance with human rights regarding its military intervention in Gaza.
The EU-Israel trade deal, also known as the Association Agreement, allows trade restrictions to be reimposed if any aspect of human rights is violated. However, Israel refused an ad-hoc meeting to discuss it. (Dhk/P-3)
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