Latest news with #tradeban
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Irish public's caution on Occupied Territories Bill reflects ‘considered' view
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that an Irish Times poll which revealed that members of the public have become more cautious on the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) in recent months is indicative of Irish people having a 'considered view' on matters. The Bill, which is being discussed by the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee and is due before the Dáil in the autumn, would ban trade in goods with the occupied Palestinian territories. Thursday's poll suggested voters are becoming more concerned about the proposed legislation, with almost half of all voters now favouring either not passing the Bill or investigating the possible consequences for Ireland before passing it. Speaking during a visit to Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, this morning Mr Martin stressed that Irish people are 'appalled' by what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank. READ MORE When asked if the OTB could cause economic damage to Ireland, Mr Martin stressed that the Government does not want to 'undermine Ireland' in any way. 'The Occupied Territories Bill does not in any shape or form propose a boycott of trade between Israel and Ireland but rather between trade with the occupied territories. That is an issue and does need consideration.' Mr Martin acknowledged that there are 'different perspectives' around the world in respect of the Middle East. 'The US have been strong supporters of Israel. We acknowledge that. At the last EU Council meeting almost every country wanted the war to stop. Every country accepted the catastrophe that Gaza now is. There is a need to stop the war,' he said. Mr Martin also said he would reject very strongly any suggestion that there is 'any hint of anti-Semitism in terms of the Irish position'. [ Occupied Territories Bill: Poll finds many voters now want economic implications examined Opens in new window ] Meanwhile, Minister for State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne has said Irish people and businesses are 'right to be cautious' about the OTB. Speaking on Morning Ireland on Friday, Mr Byrne said the Government is of the view that 'under international law we're obliged to do it' and stressed that it was 'a limited measure'. He said there is 'very clearly a danger that this would be misrepresented around the world as somehow sanctions on Israel'. 'It's not sanctions on Israel, rather it's sanctions on illegally occupied territories. I think that's something we have to make very very clear.' However, he added, 'The Irish people are right to be cautious because we are a trading nation and we do depend completely on trade with the European Union and on trade with the United States, so that's why these issues are of supreme importance to us'. He said the Government would 'look at this very, very carefully' when moving forward with the Bill. [ Berlin rejects EU sanctions against Israel over Gaza Opens in new window ] More broadly, he said, the Bill has been discussed with his European counterparts, with 'some good discussions with German colleagues, with my Austrian colleagues and with other colleagues as well about what we're doing in relation to the Middle East'. Mr Byrne suggested the Germans 'in particular [are] very open about their position' as it relates to the history of that country, and said there were other countries 'who have asked us for information on the Occupied Territories Bill' and were of the view that it should be dealt with at an EU level. 'Frankly that would be the best solution,' he said.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Occupied Territories Bill: Irish citizens grow more cautious
Voters have become more cautious on the Occupied Territories Bill in recent months, with almost half of all voters now favouring either not passing the Bill or investigating the possible consequences for Ireland before passing it. Just one-fifth of voters (20 per cent) say the Bill should be passed quickly, with a further 14 per cent saying its scope should be expanded and it should be passed quickly. About 38 per cent of people, however, say the Government 'should investigate possible consequences for Ireland before passing the Bill', while a further 10 per cent are opposed to passing the Bill at all. The Bill, which is being discussed by the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee and is due before the Dáil in the autumn, would ban trade in goods with the occupied Palestinian territories. READ MORE Pro-Palestine activists and Opposition parties want the Government to include a ban on trade in services – which ministers have said they are open to examining. However, the Bill has been fiercely criticised as anti-Semitic by the Israeli government, by US politicians and by representatives of Jewish groups in Ireland, not least because it singles out Israel among participants in many global conflicts. There is significant nervousness in Government about the possible economic consequences of passing the legislation. There is also strong support, however, for the Palestinians and a sense that Ireland is taking a leading role in the EU in advocating on their behalf. Today's poll suggests that the public has shifted towards a more cautious position. When the subject was raised in the last Irish Times poll in April, a small majority of those who expressed a view said the Government should introduce the Bill as soon as possible, outnumbering those who favoured either pausing or dropping it altogether. Today's poll shows the balance has shifted. The 'net pass' number – including those who want the bill passed as it is now or with the inclusion of services – is 34 per cent; the 'net don't pass' number – including those who want to wait and consider the consequences and those who want to drop it altogether – is 48 per cent. [ Taoiseach rejects US politicians' claims that Occupied Territories Bill is 'diplomatic intoxication' Opens in new window ] The poll was conducted among a representative sample of adults aged 18 years and upwards across 120 sampling points throughout all constituencies. The Irish Times/Ipsos B & A series is conducted through face-to-face sampling; personal in-home interviewing took place on July 14th and 15th. The number of interviews conducted was 1,200. The accuracy is estimated at plus or minus 2.8 per cent. Meanwhile, head of employers' group Ibec , Danny McCoy, citing concerns about the consequences for business, said the Bill was 'hypocritical'. 'We're not talking about millions here,' he declared. 'This is not about actually helping in any material way. It's symbolism and moral positioning, and so on. However, with moral positions, you can also reveal hypocrisy.' Ireland's stand on Israel is 'well intentioned', he said, but it is 'causing us significant damage. Quantifying it is really difficult, but we know it is going to have consequences'. [ Irish Times poll: Shift in public mood noted on Occupied Territories Bill Opens in new window ] The head of Amnesty International has urged Ireland to resist 'bullying' from the US and pass the Bill in the autumn, which she said would be a 'precedent'. After meetings with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, President Michael D Higgins and the Attorney General Rossa Fanning, Agnes Callamard told The Irish Times she believed the Government's assessment was that the costs would be 'minimal' . 'I felt that there was a prudent recognition that the cost could be handled,' Ms Callamard said. 'That it is not something that will be a determining factor.'
Irish Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Taoiseach rejects US politicians' claims that Occupied Territories Bill is ‘diplomatic intoxication'
The Taoiseach has rejected a claim by the US ambassador to Israel that Ireland is suffering from 'diplomatic intoxication' in progressing something as 'stupid' as the Occupied Territories Bill. Mike Huckabee's comments came amid similar criticisms from a number of senior US politicians, who warned the Government that enacting the Occupied Territories Bill would be harmful for Ireland . The proposed Bill is expected to go before the Dáil in the autumn. The legislation would prohibit trading with companies operating in illegal settlements in the West Bank and other occupied territories. At least 10 members of Congress have shared their criticisms of the Bill on X (formerly Twitter) in what would appear to be a concerted campaign. READ MORE On Wednesday Mr Huckabee posted: 'Did the Irish fall into a vat of Guinness & propose something so stupid that it would be attributed to act of diplomatic intoxication? It will harm Arabs as much as Israelis. Sober up Ireland! Call @IsraelMFA & say you're sorry!' [ Government effort to ban occupied territories trade gets EU boost Opens in new window ] Responding, Mr Martin said: 'I reject the comments made by the ambassador. The situation is very serious in Gaza, including an appalling loss of human life. Terrible war crimes are being committed.' Mr Martin said there is 'continuing shocking behaviour' in the West Bank, including 'the freedom that's given to extreme settlers to destroy settlements and housing belonging to Palestinians who've been there on that land for generations'. There have been claims that US companies based in Ireland could be subject to fines and penalties if the Bill passes, as it could breach American laws that prohibit BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) activity against Israel. Mr Martin said BDS legislation could 'inadvertently' affect companies. 'We don't want companies that are based in Ireland and employing people punished in any shape or form. That would be counterproductive in terms of the objective being to leverage pressure on Israel, not on Ireland,' Mr Martin said. 'But we will consider that, and obviously we will take legal opinion on it.' But the Taoiseach added that the 'situation has moved on', with the European Union confirming member states should consider the legal opinion of the International Court of Justice in the context of member states' trade relationships with the occupied territories. 'To be fair to president Trump, he's a man who doesn't like war, and I would hope that he can exert pressure to bring about an end to the terrible and horrific killing in Gaza.' Lisa McClain, the chair of the House Republicans, said 'any legislation boycotting, divesting or sanctioning Israel would be a huge mistake for Ireland'. 'This type of extreme anti-Semitic hate is unacceptable and should be rejected.' Republican senator Lindsey Graham posted: 'I hope that Ireland will reconsider their efforts to economically isolate Israel [...] I do not believe these efforts would be well received in the United States and they certainly would not go unnoticed.' Senator Rick Scott, also a Republican, said: 'This foolish move not only wrongfully targets Israel & the Jewish Community, but also harms American businesses. They should think twice about the message they're sending by passing this Bill, which complicates our economic relationship & targets our ally.'
Irish Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Prominent US politicians calls Occupied Territories Bill ‘extreme antisemitic hate'
A large number of US politicians have warned the Government that enacting the Occupied Territories Bill would be harmful for Ireland . The proposed bill is expected to be put before the Dáil in the autumn. The legislation would prohibit trading with companies operating in illegal settlements in the West Bank and other occupied territories. At least 10 members of Congress have shared their criticisms of the bill on X in what would appear to be a concerted campaign. They were joined by the US ambassador to Israel Mick Huckabee who posted on X: 'Did the Irish fall into a vat of Guinness & propose something so stupid that it would be attributed to act of diplomatic intoxication? It will harm Arabs as much as Israelis. Sober up Ireland! Call @IsraelMFA & say you're sorry!' [ Government effort to ban occupied territories trade gets EU boost Opens in new window ] Lisa McClain, the chair of the House Republicans, stated that 'any legislation boycotting, divesting, or sanctioning Israel would be a huge mistake for Ireland. 'This type of extreme anti-Semitic hate is unacceptable and should be rejected.' On X, Rep McClain linked to an article from The Hill website which warned that the passing of bill would create a 'real and immediate legal risk not for Israel, but for American companies and investors'. The article, authored by three legal academics, Mark Goldfeder, Anat Beck and Erielle Davidson, outlines that the United States has had a long-standing policy going back to 1977 that US companies will not be allowed to participate in any boycott of Israel. 'Federal anti-boycott laws make it illegal for US companies to comply with foreign government boycott requests targeting Israel,' it says. 'That means American firms that change their behaviour in response to Ireland's new law – whether by cancelling contracts, terminating suppliers or rerouting goods away from Israeli partners in the West Bank – could face serious penalties at home.' More than 36 US states have adopted laws that bar companies from receiving state contracts if they boycott Israel, it said . Well-known US senator Lindsey Graham posted: I hope that Ireland will reconsider their efforts to economically isolate Israel, as they are in a fight for their very existence. I do not believe these efforts would be well received in the United States and they certainly would not go unnoticed.' Senator Rick Scott also linked to The Hill article: 'This foolish move not only wrongfully targets Israel & the Jewish Community, but also harms American businesses. They should think twice about the message they're sending by passing this bill, which complicates our economic relationship & targets our ally.' This foolish move not only wrongfully targets Israel & the Jewish Community, but also harms American businesses. They should think twice about the message they're sending by passing this bill, which complicates our economic relationship & targets our ally. Other members of congress who have warned Ireland about the consequences of the problem including congress members Mike Lawler, Mike Crapo, Peter Stauber and Claudia Tenny among a growing number of US politicians, most of them Republican, who have vocally opposed the Occupied Territories Bill Two weeks ago US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Senator Jim Risch said the Occupied Territories Bill 'will only lead to self-inflicted economic suffering' for the State. Writing on X, the veteran Republican senator for Idaho said: 'Ireland, while often a valuable US partner, is on a hateful, anti-Semitic path that will only lead to self-inflicted economic suffering. His comments were rejected by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. 'I would reject any assertion that this is anti-Semitic. I'm appalled of that assertion and that's something we're going to correct,' he said in response to Senator Risch's comments. 'We will work on our economic interests. We'll work to explain our position to interlocutors in the US and to the US administration.'
Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Sharp exchanges follow Alan Shatter's comparison of occupied territories trade ban with 1930s Germany
Former minister for justice Alan Shatter has claimed that the proposed ban on trade with the occupied Palestinian territories is a 'boycott Jews Bill' reminiscent of policies from 1930s Germany . There were appeals for respect at the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee on Tuesday amid terse exchanges between politicians and Mr Shatter, who compared the Bill to something from Father Ted . The proposed legislation, which has become known as the Occupied Territories Bill, would prohibit trade in goods with Israeli companies operating in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories. Mr Shatter told TDs and Senators that the Irish Government was producing legislation that was 'anti-Semitic'. Could Mary Lou McDonald be about to enter the presidential race? Listen | 41:13 'It is the first boycott Jews Bill published by any European government since 1945. And it replicates the type of legislation that was initiated in 1930s Germany,' said Mr Shatter, who was appearing before the committee in his capacity as a board member of the Israel Council on Foreign Relations . READ MORE Foreign affairs committee chairman John Lahart said it was 'hurtful', 'offensive and slanderous' for it to be suggested that the motivation behind the Bill was anti-Semitism. Mr Shatter also claimed that the legislation, which focused on limited imports of 'olives and avocados', resembled the 'Father Ted-like provisions' of a 1980 family planning law that sought to license the importation of condoms. Mr Shatter was challenged by Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan , who told the committee that he had travelled to Cairo in a personal capacity last weekend and met injured and orphaned Palestinian children. 'I held the hand of a two-year-old child who had bullet holes because of what's happening in Gaza. So when you say to me, and you say to this committee, that is a 'token gesture, this is fantasy politics, this is performance politics', I totally reject [that],' said Mr Brennan. 'How dare you come in here and make such statements? A 'Father Ted Bill'! You speak to the people on the ground that matter, listen to what they've got to say about this Bill ... I just think the humanity coming from yourself, with all due respect, is just simply lax.' [ More than 300 sportspeople sign letter urging Central Bank to change stance on approving Israel bonds Opens in new window ] In terse exchanges, Mr Shatter said: 'I don't think a single visit, deputy, to Egypt is the be-all and end-all to resolving the conflict. And this Bill certainly won't resolve the conflict.' In response to Mr Brennan's remarks, Natasha Hausdorff of the Ireland Israel Alliance said that he had spoken 'very powerfully' about Palestinian suffering. 'But it is important that the cause of that suffering is correctly identified, and that is not as a result of Israel's policy here, that is squarely on the shoulders of Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups who continue to abuse and subjugate and terrorise their own civilians,' she said. All of the Israeli and Jewish witnesses appearing before the committee declined to agree that the occupied territories in the West Bank were illegally occupied land. Mr Shatter said he 'does not accept' that the Israeli-occupied territories in the West Bank are illegally occupied land. Ms Hausdorff said that 'one cannot occupy what is one's own sovereign territory'. Maurice Cohen, chairman of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, said that anti-Semitism would be the result of the Bill. 'I'm not necessarily certain that that is the motivation behind it,' he said. In a separate session shortly afterwards, the same committee heard from the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Sadaka - the Ireland Palestine Alliance, who support the Bill. Sadaka chairman Éamonn Meehan said the same arguments against the Bill had been made against the anti-apartheid campaign in the 1980s and 1990s, but that legislation had been 'highly effective'.
