Sir, The EU foreign affairs ministers gathering in Co Wicklow this week was an opportunity to push for an EU-wide ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements.
This was one of the most significant moments that Ireland will have during its six-month EU presidency to demonstrate principled leadership and push for the approach we’ve taken with the Occupied Territories Bill to be replicated across the whole EU.
While the Government’s version of the Occupied Territories Bill crucially failed to include the trade of services, it was still a significant action and demonstrated that governments can take practical steps to ensure they are not supporting illegal settlements established in occupied territory.
In a single European market, national action alone will never be enough. A patchwork of state-specific measures cannot adequately address a market where goods, services and investment flow across borders.
The logical next step is an EU-wide prohibition on trade in both goods and services with illegal settlements. Such a measure would provide legal certainty for businesses, ensure consistent enforcement across member states and prevent settlement-linked trade simply being rerouted through other countries.
US warns Government not to push Occupied Territories Bill type action in Europe
Alongside Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium have all moved to ban the import of goods from illegal settlements in recent months. As more and more EU countries take action, there’s growing momentum and support for an EU-wide ban.
The crucial test for EU foreign ministers – and EU high representative for foreign affairs Kaja Kallas – following their meeting in Wicklow is whether the EU is prepared to match its stated commitment to international law with meaningful action.
The EU has been historically paralysed in taking co-ordinated concrete actions against Israel, with member states divided. Banning trade with settlements remains controversial, and some EU countries now argue that any common action should be delayed because of political developments in Israel, including the forthcoming elections.
However, a critical mass of vocal countries could tip the balance, and Ireland can demonstrate moral leadership and credibility on this issue. We must state clearly that compliance with international law cannot depend on electoral timetables. Political circumstances may change, but legal obligations do not.
Every day the EU defers meaningful co-ordinated action, illegal settlement expansion rapidly increases – and relentless violence against Palestinians continues. The time for discussing the principle has long passed: the moment for implementation is now.
Let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture: the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement should be the next step in halting the continued injustices against Palestinians. A prohibition of settlement trade, including services and investments, is only one step of the way. – Yours, etc,
JIM CLARKEN,
Oxfam Ireland chief executive