Ireland is aiming to pass legislation by mid-July to restrict trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements.
In the occupied West Bank, Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said, despite opposition from Israel, some US lawmakers and business groups.
The Irish government, among Europe’s strongest critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, had first pledged action against settlement trade in October 2024. However, the proposed law faced delays amid disagreements over whether restrictions should also cover services.
Prime Minister Micheál Martin recently said extending the measure to services was neither practical nor workable, effectively limiting the legislation to goods imported from Israeli-occupied territories.
According to Ireland’s Central Statistics Office, imports covered under the proposed restrictions are relatively small in value, amounting to around €200,000 annually and including products such as fruit.
Business groups had raised concerns that extending the law to services could create complications for multinational firms operating in Ireland, many of which are US-owned and play a significant role in the Irish economy.
McEntee said the move reflects growing concern over continued expansion of Israeli settlements and rising settler violence in the West Bank. She added that Ireland hopes to coordinate similar measures with countries including Belgium, Netherlands and Slovenia. Spain has already introduced comparable restrictions.
A group of US lawmakers had earlier warned that such legislation could affect US-Irish relations and potentially impact American companies operating in Ireland.
Most countries consider Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal under international law, though Israel disputes that interpretation, citing historical and security considerations.
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