Protest over Central Bank facilitating Israeli bonds to gather outside Taoiseach's office later
Following Brexit, Israel chose the Central Bank of Ireland as the designated authority to approve Israel Bonds sold in the EU, since it could no longer use the UK for this purpose.
Sales of Israel Bonds have surpassed $5 million since the 7 October attacks.
Israel Bonds are advertised as supporting the country's economy and holders of the securities are promised that the principal and interest will be repaid after the bond matures.
In recent times, websites promoting the bonds emphasise their role in supporting Israel during the war.
Israel president Isaac Herzog has stated that Israel Bonds have a 'crucial role during this time of conflict and war'.
In a video to Israel Bonds holders in October 2023
, Herzog said the bonds are a means for people 'to step forward to do your part in this critical hour'.
The Government was last week
urged by the Oireachtas Committee on Finance to engage with the EU to amend the law so the Central Bank can refuse to facilitate the sale of Israeli State bonds.
The committee's chairwoman, Sinn Féin's Mairead Farrell, said the Central Bank's facilitation of Israeli bonds arose as 'a matter of concern'.
'The committee understands that the Central Bank may only refuse the approval of a prospectus where the Central Bank has legal basis to do so,' she said.
Advertisement
She added: 'The issuing of bonds by the State of Israel is seen to assist in the financing of Israel's continued violations of human rights.
'As such, the facilitation of the prospectus by the Central Bank raises issues of significant concern for the Joint Committee, not only around moral obligations but also obligations under international law.'
Today's protest, organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), will assemble at the Department of the Taoiseach at 5.30pm, marching via the Department of Finance to the Department of Foreign Affairs for a rally.
A spokesperson for the IPSC said the Central Bank is the sole gateway into the EU for 'Israel's genocide-funding bonds'.
'These bonds fund the forced starvation and the genocide of the Palestinian people being perpetrated by Israel in Gaza,' added the spokesperson.
The IPSC has called on the Government to direct the Central Bank to refuse to renew Israel bonds when the current approval period ends in September.
IPSC Chairperson Zoe Lawlor noted that the Oireachtas Finance Committee has called on the Government to amend the law so that the Central Bank can stop facilitating the sale of Israeli State bonds in the EU.
'Hand wringing is not enough,' said Lawlor.
'The Government must act to stop the Central Bank, an organ of this stage from doing harm.
'It must direct the Central Bank to stop funding the starvation and murder of the people of Gaza.'
Speakers at today's rally will include Social Democrats TD, who last month
launched legal proceedings against the Central Bank over claims investors in Israeli bonds could be legally complicit in genocide in Gaza.
He alleges that the Central Bank's failure to ban the marketing, distribution and sale of Israeli bonds exposes investors to risks that have not been disclosed to them.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
6 hours ago
- Sunday World
Mary Robinson travels to Rafah Crossing and says Israel deliberately blocking Gaza aid
Robinson's visit comes following Tánaiste Simon Harris joint statement with EU counterparts Speaking to reporters on the Egyptian side of the closed border crossing point she said that some aid trucks are being rejected at the border 'for no reason at all'. A delegation from The Elders' a global organization advocating for peace â€' including Mary Robinson, former President of The Elders and former President of Ireland, and Helen Clark, Member of The Elders and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, during their inspection visit to the Rafah border crossing at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza on August 11, 2025 in Rafah, Egypt. The Elders are an NGO of former statesmen, peace activists and human rights advocates, who were first convened by Nelson Mandela in 2007 (Photo by) The former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said: 'We have seen in the warehouse the tents that have not been delivered, the generators that have not been delivered, the wheelchairs, the crutches, the children's books and other things that have not been delivered. 'But some food is getting in, it was interesting to talk to a driver who was rejected for the second time because of minor problems, even though there is very good checking, as we know by the Egyptian Red Crescent and by the UN in collaboration.' "We know many are rejected often for no reason at all. Although people are working on this side, people are not working as hard on the other side,' she added. 'All of the obstruction is on the other side. It is devastating. It is utterly devastating to see the sheer volume of vital materials sitting [there]. Oxygen tanks, generators, wheelchairs, crutches, it's unbelievable.' Ms Robinson visited the crossing as a member of 'The Elders' – a group of former national leaders that once included Nelson Mandela – along with Helen Clarke, the former prime minister of New Zealand. In a statement afterwards, they described what was happening in Gaza as 'unfolding genocide and famine' and called for international sanctions on Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his country's security cabinet who have been responsible for planning the war which has killed 60,000 Palestinians. A delegation from The Elders a global organization advocating for peace â€' including Mary Robinson, former President of The Elders and former President of Ireland, and Helen Clark, Member of The Elders and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, with Major General Khaled Megaour, Governor of North Sinai, during their inspection visit to the Rafah border crossing at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza on August 11, 2025 in Rafah, Egypt. The Elders are an NGO of former statesmen, peace activists and human rights advocates, who were first convened by Nelson Mandela in 2007 (Photo by) They called on other countries to halt shipments of weapons to Israel, among other measures, including the suspension of trade agreements, including with the EU. "The uncomfortable truth is that many states are prioritising their own economic and security interests, even as the world is reeling from the images of Gazan children starving to death,' they said following their three-day visit. Ms Robinson and Ms Clark also expressed their 'shock and outrage at Israel's deliberate obstruction of the entry of life-saving humanitarian aid into Gaza, causing mass starvation to spread'. 'The targeted killing of journalist Anas al-Sharif and four of his colleagues in Gaza is an attempt to silence the truth,' they said. 'What we saw and heard underlines our personal conviction that there is not only an unfolding, human-caused famine in Gaza. There is an unfolding genocide.' Tánaiste Simon Harris has also signed a joint statement alongside the foreign ministers of 24 countries, in which they say 'unfolding before our eyes'. The joint statement comes a day after Mr Harris, who is also Foreign Affairs Minister, spoke with his EU counterparts about the situation in Gaza. 'The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels. Famine is unfolding before our eyes,' the statement said. 'Urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation. Humanitarian space must be protected, and aid should never be politicised. 'However, due to restrictive new registration requirements, essential international NGOs (non-governmental organisations) may be forced to leave the OPTs (Occupied Palestinian Territories) imminently, which would worsen the humanitarian situation still further.' AL-ARISH, EGYPT - AUGUST 11: Mary Robinson, former President of The Elders and former President of Ireland, inspecting an aid warehouse in Al-Arish near Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza on August 11, 2025 in Al-Arish, Egypt. The Elders are an NGO of former statesmen, peace activists and human rights advocates, who were first convened by Nelson Mandela in 2007 (Photo by) United Nations agencies and International NGOs, including partners of Irish aid agency Trócaire, also released a statement last week in which they condemned the new registration requirements imposed by Israel. They have warned that unless there is a policy change introduced 'most international NGO partners could be de-registered by 9 September'. 'Immediate, permanent and concrete steps must be taken to facilitate safe, large-scale access for the UN, international NGOs and humanitarian partners,' the signatories added. 'All crossings and routes must be used to allow a flood of aid into Gaza, including food, nutrition supplies, shelter, fuel, clean water, medicine and medical equipment. 'Lethal force must not be used at distribution sites, and civilians, humanitarians and medical workers must be protected." The foreign ministers also thanked the US, Qatar and Egypt for their efforts in pushing for a ceasefire and pursuing peace. They also called for a ceasefire that will bring an end to the war, the release of hostages and for aid to enter Gaza unhindered. The statement has been signed by the foreign ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. The EU high representative for foreign affairs Kaja Kallas, as well as the EU commissioner for the Mediterranean and the EU commissioner for equality also signed the document. However, a number of EU member countries, including Germany and Hungary, did not add their signatures.
Agriland
8 hours ago
- Agriland
Former farm leaders oppose Mercosur deal at Tullamore Show
Former leaders of two of the country's leading farm organisations joined forces at the 2025 Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show to opposed the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement. Former Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) president John Dillon and former Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) president Pat O'Rourke – now a political and agriculture adviser to MEP Ciaran Mullooly - made a joint effort at the event on Sunday (August 10) to warn about the deal. The two men said that said the Mercosur deal will have a "devastating impact" on Irish beef farmers. If ratified by EU member states, the deal would grant significantly increased access for South American beef into the European market. Speaking at the show, the two former farm leaders highlighted what they called a "massive price gap" between Brazilian and Irish beef, which they said was driven by a differences in production standards. Dillon claimed: "The farmgate price for beef in Brazil is just €3.20/kg. In Ireland, it's €9.50/kg. That difference is explained by the lower animal welfare standards, use of growth hormones, and weaker environmental protections in Mercosur countries. "The structural disadvantages for Irish farmers are equally stark. While farms in Mercosur countries can be as large as 15,000ha, the average Irish family farm is just 34ha. 'Irish farmers cannot and will not be able to compete on price with beef produced under vastly different rules and on an industrial scale. If the government is serious about backing Irish farmers, there's only one option – say no to Mercosur," O'Rourke said. The two men jointly called on the government to take a firm stand against the deal in upcoming EU negotiations, warning that its ratification would undermine the Irish beef sector, threaten rural livelihoods, and reward production systems that fail to meet the high standards demanded of EU farmers. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, recently said he had discussed international trade developments, including the Mercosur agreement, with his counterparts from France and Germany, among others. He said: "The government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Indeed, recent developments in the global trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU free trade agreements. "We have always been clear, that such agreements must defend our most vulnerable sectors and that our farmers' livelihoods must not be undermined through weak or ineffective environmental standards in other countries." "Our position is clearly outlined in the Programme for Government, which states that the government will work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal," the Tánaiste said.
Irish Examiner
8 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Finally, a large-scale anti-war protest in Israel
An estimated 100,000 Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv last Saturday night to protest against the Israeli Government's announcement to intensify and prolong the war on Gaza. This was the largest and most raucous anti-government demonstration in months. The anger was palpable; it was probably the first demonstration that I can recall that had a decidedly anti-war sentiment. For many months, smaller demonstrations have been held every Saturday evening across the country. Whilst these protests have always had an anti-government message, their focus remained squarely on the fate of remaining hostages held in Gaza. Explicit anti-war messages at the mainstream weekly demos have remained muted – up until now. Saturday night's demonstration felt different. This was arguably the first large-scale anti-war demonstration in Israel since the conflict began almost two years ago. The government's announcement to expand the war came after a 10-hour cabinet meeting last Thursday, indicating, unusually for this government, some real cabinet dissent. Netanyahu, in a press conference on Sunday evening, doubled down on that commitment. Israeli activists take part in a protest last month in Tel Aviv against the war in the Gaza Strip. Many demonstrators believe that Netanyahu's motivation to expand military operations is fuelled by nothing more than a cynical desire for political self-preservation. File photo: AP/Ohad Zwigenberg In language reminiscent of the infamous quote of the Vietnam War, 'It became necessary to destroy the town to save it', Netanyahu on Sunday spoke in English, without any hint of irony, 'We do not want to occupy Gaza but free Gaza'. This is after 22 months of relentless Israeli assault that has already killed over 60,000 Palestinians, including 18,000 children. Netanyahu's announcement to intensify the war on Gaza, including a plan to occupy and 'evacuate' Gaza city, has shocked but not surprised Israelis. Details of the military plan remain unclear. Initial local media reports over the weekend suggested that the plan included a full evacuation of Gaza City, to be completed by October 7, the second anniversary of the Hamas massacre. Recent polls suggest that more than 70% of Israelis want the war to end now. Presumably, an even higher percentage are opposed to any intensification of fighting that puts at risk not just the lives of the remaining hostages but also the lives of thousands of young Israeli soldiers who are now tasked with the unenviable job of ethnic cleansing. The IDF's (Israeli Defense Forces) Eyal Zamir has let it be known publicly that he is opposed to Netanyahu's ground plan for logistical reasons, arguing, like almost everybody else here, that the expansion of the war as outlined by the government puts the lives of soldiers and hostages at risk. Zamir's very public opposition has provoked accusations of treason from Netanyahu's son Yair, who has not been shy of weighing in with politically provocative outbursts since the war began. The political mood in the country has grown increasingly tense in the past 72 hours, with calls from both the family of the hostages and opposition leaders for a national strike later this week. Many political pundits in Israel, however, are genuinely scratching their heads as to the motivation behind Netanyahu's decision. Most are asking, why now? And why such a brazen and provocative call for an intensification of war, that has generated fierce condemnation from leaders across the globe, flies in the face of the majority of Israeli public opinion and is resolutely opposed by the Israeli military itself. If we take Netanyahu at his word, the war plans are simply a 'proposal for defeating Hamas'. If we do not take him at his word - and many Israeli political pundits say we shouldn't - the announcement is a ploy for Netanyahu to prolong the war, to ensure his short-term political survival. Israeli activists take part in a protest last month in Tel Aviv against the war in the Gaza Strip. The political mood in the country has grown increasingly tense in the past 72 hours. File photo: AP/Ohad Zwigenberg Any proposal to end the war that doesn't include a commitment to full Israeli occupation, ethnic cleansing, or expulsion, the argument goes, will not satisfy his far-right messianic coalition partners. The so-called never-ending war is designed to stave off the collapse of the government. Some have argued that the announcement is nothing more than a negotiation tactic to force Hamas to make concessions in the negotiations to end the war. There is a fourth and altogether darker interpretation. This is the opinion that none of this is being forced upon Netanyahu by political expediency, but instead driven by a deliberate, pre-planned strategic goal to eventually expel two million Palestinians from Gaza. This was the opinion of Aluf Benn, editor of Haaretz newspaper, the Israeli paper of record, just last week. The few demonstrators I spoke to on Saturday night were unanimous that Netanyahu's motivation to expand military operations was fuelled by nothing more than a cynical desire for political self-preservation. 'He [Netanyahu] cares nothing about the hostages, everything he does is for himself,' said Yoav. 'We need to get rid of this 'crime minister 'before more hostages die,' Yael added. Netanyahu has been indicted for corruption. His trial has been dragging on for years. Posters with his face behind bars with the caption 'Crime Minister' have been visible at all demonstrations for two years now. Lior was visibly angry. 'What are we fighting for? What are our soldiers dying for? Nothing, absolutely all a lie.' Israeli activists take part in a protest last month in Tel Aviv against the war in the Gaza Strip. Recent polls suggest that more than 70% of Israelis want the war to end now. File photo: AP/Ohad Zwigenberg 'We are killing children every day – it has to stop,' said Taly, one of the few people I spoke to who first raised the plight of Palestinian civilians. Her voice remains a minority. A little reported poll from the Israel Democracy Institute this weekend revealed that 78% of Jewish Israelis think that 'given the circumstances of the fighting in Gaza, Israel is making efforts to avoid causing suffering to the Palestinian population there'. A perhaps shockingly naive or wilfully ignorant viewpoint, indicative that many of the demonstrators on Saturday continue to either turn a blind eye to the reality what their state has done in the past 22 months of war. Many observers, I am sure both inside and outside Israel, would agree however, whatever the motivation of the demonstrators, any protest by ordinary Israelis that brings 100,000 of its citizens onto the streets to call for an immediate end to the war on Gaza should be welcomed by all.
