Latest news with #OccupiedTerritories
Al Jazeera
an hour ago
- General
- Al Jazeera
Israel dares the world to intervene in new settlement project
NewsFeed Israel dares the world to intervene in new settlement project | #AJOPINION Israel says its settlement expansion is to 'prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state' as it announced 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. Palestinian lawyer Diana Buttu says Israeli officials are daring the world to stop them.
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israel Minister Says 'We Will Build Jewish Israeli State' in West Bank
Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed on Friday to build a "Jewish Israeli state" in the occupied West Bank, a day after the government announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the Palestinian territory. Israeli settlements in the West Bank, seen as a major obstacle to lasting peace, are regularly condemned by the United Nations as illegal under international law, and Thursday's announcement drew sharp foreign criticism. "This is a decisive response to the terrorist organizations that are trying to harm and weaken our hold on this land -- and it is also a clear message to (French President Emmanuel) Macron and his associates: they will recognize a Palestinian state on paper -- but we will build the Jewish Israeli state here on the ground," Katz was quoted as saying Friday in a statement from his office. "The paper will be thrown into the trash bin of history, and the State of Israel will flourish and prosper." Katz was speaking during a visit to the Sa-Nur settlement outpost in the northern West Bank. Sa-Nur was evacuated in 2005 as part of Israel's disengagement from Gaza, promoted by then prime minister Ariel Sharon. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. During a visit to Singapore on Friday, French President Macron asserted that recognition of a Palestinian state, with some conditions, was "not only a moral duty, but a political necessity". An international conference meant to resurrect the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is set to take place in June at the UN headquarters in New York. A diplomat in Paris close to preparations for the conference said it should pave the way for more countries to recognize a Palestinian state. Macron said in April that France could recognize a Palestinian state in June. Following Israel's announcement of the new settlements on Thursday, Britain called the move a "deliberate obstacle" to Palestinian statehood, while UN chief Antonio Guterres's spokesman said it pushed efforts towards a two-state solution "in the wrong direction".
CNN
4 days ago
- General
- CNN
Israel approves biggest expansion of West Bank settlements in decades
Israel approved a massive expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank this week in a move described as a continuation of de facto annexation of the territory. Peace Now, an Israeli non-governmental organization that tracks settlements, said it was the largest expansion of settlements since the signing of the Oslo Accords more than 30 years ago. Israel will establish 22 new settlements, including deep within the West Bank and in area from which the country had previously withdrawn, as part of the new security cabinet decision, according to a joint statement from Defense Minister Israel Katz and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. 'All the new communities are being established with a long-term strategic vision, aimed at reinforcing Israeli control of the territory, preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state, and securing development reserves for settlement in the coming decades,' the statement said. Peace Now blasted the government for making such a decision in the midst of a war. 'The government is making clear - again and without restraint - that it prefers deepening the occupation and advancing de facto annexation over pursuing peace,' the organization said. 'The Israeli government no longer pretends otherwise: the annexation of the Occupied Territories and expansion of settlements is its central goal.' Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, as well as in East Jerusalem and the occupied Golan Heights, are considered illegal under international law. The Oslo Accords, signed in 1993 between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), were designed to pave the way to the establishment of a Palestinian state and the realization of a two-state solution. For months, Israel's military has carried out a massive operation in the West Bank, deploying tanks to the territory for the first time in decades and displacing tens of thousands of Palestinians. In February, Katz ordered the military 'to prepare for a prolonged presence' as the military evacuated Palestinian refugee camps. Within the last several weeks, Israeli forces have carried out multiple waves of raids and arrests across the West Bank. Peace Now said 12 of the new settlements will be the legalization of illegal outposts. Outposts are illegally established be Jewish settlers without approval from the government with the intention to push for formal recognition and legalization. Another nine of the settlements will be entirely new, while the final one will be the conversion of an existing neighborhood to an independent settlement, according to Peace Now. Two of the settlements in the new plan were evacuated during the disengagement from parts of the West Bank in 2005, which forbade Israelis from establishing a civilian presence in those areas. That law was overturned by the current right-wing Israeli government. Smotrich gloated about the new settlements, making clear his goal was annexation. 'The next step – sovereignty! We did not take a foreign land, but the inheritance of our ancestors,' he said in a statement. Earlier this month, the security cabinet approved a land registration process for Area C of the West Bank, which is under Israeli civil and security control. Peace Now called the move 'a mega theft of Palestinian lands.'
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Renewed political pressure to expand opposition to Israeli assault on Gaza
The Government is facing renewed political pressure to expand its legal and political opposition to the Israeli assault on Gaza, even as it moved ahead with legislation banning trade with the Occupied Territories . Tánaiste Simon Harris secured Cabinet approval to begin drafting the legislation on Tuesday, saying he hoped other European Union countries would join Ireland in banning trade from the illegally occupied areas. But there was criticism of the pace with which the Bill is expected to proceed through the Oireachtas, as well as its scope. Labour Party TD Duncan Smith said he is 'utterly angered at the fact that it still seems it will be autumn at the earliest before it will be brought into law'. READ MORE He said it should be prioritised and the Committee on Foreign Affairs should 'sit as quickly and as often as is necessary to get it into the Dáil and through the Seanad and done before the summer recess'. Mr Harris's spokesman said the Tánaiste would be open to the Dáil continuing to sit during the summer recess to debate the Occupied Territories Bill, adding that he would be guided by the recommendation of the Oireachtas committee. The Coalition indicated on Tuesday that it was unlikely to include trade in services in its Bill, which is being sought by the Opposition and by Independent Senator Frances Black, who drafted the first Bill in the area seven years ago. A Government spokesman said it was not proposed to regulate trade in services 'at this time', arguing that the basis in EU law for such a move is 'much weaker than is the case in the field of goods trade'. The Coalition said it will take into account recommendations on this front that arise during prelegislative scrutiny. Ms Black said the decision today by Government is a 'really important and welcome step, but our work is not done yet'. 'We need to see a full ban on all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, which includes both physical goods like fruit and veg, but also intangible services like tech and IT,' she said. Opposition parties are also pursuing other avenues to increase pressure on the Government to act, with left-wing parties due to combine in support of a Sinn Féin Bill yesterday evening that would restrict the sale of Israeli government bonds through the Irish financial system. Sinn Féin has cited advice given to it by legal advisers to the Oireachtas which suggested such a move could be possible with the appropriate safeguards in place. However, ahead of a debate on the motion scheduled for Tuesday evening, the Government dismissed the move, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin describing it as 'completely unworkable' and incompatible with EU law. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald rejected this analysis as 'utterly cynical and bogus'. The Government says Israeli bonds are not listed on the Irish Stock Exchange nor available to purchase through any regulated entity in the State. 'The Bill is asking for an activity that does not take place here to be terminated,' a Coalition spokesman said, adding that preliminary advice from the Attorney General suggests 'key provisions may be unworkable and may conflict with EU treaties and our obligations as a member state'. 'Importantly, this Bill does not prevent Israel from raising money by selling bonds.' The Labour Party , meanwhile, is preparing a motion for next week to mandate the Taoiseach to move a motion at the UN seeking an international peacekeeping force for Gaza. The Coalition has indicated it will not oppose the motion, with a spokesman saying it welcomes the approach 'as one that favours multilateralism, and the pursuit of peace and security', adding that the 'urgency of the need for peace could not be clearer'.
The Journal
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Drafting of bill to ban imports from Occupied Palestinian territories to get greenlight
TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS is to seek Cabinet approval today for a bill to ban imports from the illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian territories. 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. The government has faced consistent criticism from opposition parties and pro-Palestine activists for its failure to pass the Occupied Territories bill, which was first introduced in 2018. The government's own version of the bill comes after Harris said it was the government's analysis was that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the original bill's provisions in order to bring it in line with the Constitution and to try to reduce the risk of EU infringement procedures. It is understood that Harris will tell his Cabinet colleagues this morning that Israel's humanitarian blockade and renewed bombardment of Gaza has resulted in a situation of unprecedented gravity. While Ireland does minimal trade with the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Tánaiste will say that the government has been resolute in its determination to use every lever available to end the war in the Middle East. He will say there is now growing support at EU level on issues where Ireland demonstrated early leadership with a small group of partners, including on the review of Israel's compliance with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement which now take place. Advertisement Harris will tell ministers that it is the government's desire to pursue a twin track approach, seeking to build support at a European level to ensure compliance with international law, while advancing domestic legislation, which he hopes the relevant Oireachtas committee can begin to scrutinise in June. Last week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the EU Israel Association Agreement with Israel should be suspended now, pending the review agreed by EU foreign ministers. He said this would be 'a sign that there can be no business as usual'. 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. Tariff threats and CETA controversy Separately, harris will also update Cabinet today on the latest trade developments after a threatened 50% tariff on the EU was paused by US President Donald Trump until 9 July. The Tánaiste will tell colleagues that the halfway mark of the original 90-day pause has now passed, meaning there are just 43 days left for the EU and the US to engage in meaningful and substantive negotiations aimed at reaching a deal. He will outline that the EU has shared with the US its ideas for an 'EU-US Agreement on Reciprocal Mutually Beneficial Trade'. Related Reads Opinion: We don't need a new Occupied Territories Bill – improve this one and pass it quickly Occupied Territories Bill to be replaced by new legislation, Martin confirms FactCheck: The Occupied Territories Bill will not ban all trade between Israel and Ireland This proposal includes options aimed at reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers, promoting economic security, as well as facilitating strategic purchases, business opportunities and investment. The Tánaiste will also ask Cabinet to approve the drafting of the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025 which will allow for the ratification of the EU-Canada trade deal, known as CETA. Harris will point out that in his view, CETA is an important part of Ireland's market diversification strategy. However, CETA has been mired in controversy, with 10 member states declining to ratify it . The Irish Supreme Court ruled that ratification of CETA would be unconstitutional in the absence of a change to Irish domestic legislation. The ruling stated that a referendum could be avoided on the matter if legislation were introduced, but the court said that was a matter for the government. Finally, the Tánaiste will ask ministers to approve the participation of the Defence Forces in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for a further period of 12 months. Ireland's participation in UNIFIL represents the State's largest overseas deployment, with 345 Defence Forces personnel currently serving as part of a joint Irish-Polish Battalion in Southern Lebanon. 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
