Israel furious at Ireland’s bill to boycott settlement goods

Israel has summoned the Irish ambassador to the occupied Palestinian territories to express its anger at a parliamentary bill which could boycott goods produced in the illegal Israeli settlements.

Israel's Foreign Ministry summoned the Irish ambassador Wednesday to protest the bill, which if ratified in the parliament, would make Ireland the first European country to impose a full ban on the import of settlement goods.

The ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the Irish government was opposed to the settlement goods bill, according to the ambassador.

 Israel has been expanding its illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank since it invaded the area in 1967 Arab War. The international community views Israel’s control over the region, as well as the eastern part of the city of Jerusalem al-Quds, as illegal, and insists the territory would be a part of a future Palestinian state.

In a bid to force the regime to withdraw its claim from the area, many countries have banned the sale of goods produced by the Israeli settlers. The boycott is part of a larger international movement known as BDS which campaigns for a full boycott of Israel.

Even Israel’s closest allies in Europe and the United States have been pressing Israel to withdraw from the settlements or at least halt their expansion. In a historic move, the administration of former US President Barack Obama stopped short of opposing a United Nations resolution condemning Israeli settlements in a late 2016 vote.

The European Union has also approved guidelines for labeling goods produced in the Israeli settlements.

UN reviewing settlement companies

A report issued by the UN human rights office on Wednesday said the world body needed more resources to compile a full blacklist of the companies linked to the settlements. The report said it was reviewing the business practices involving Israeli settlements of 206 companies. It said most of the companies were either Israeli or American while 19 other countries were also involved.

The compilation of a UN blacklist could facilitate efforts by rights campaigners to name and shame companies over their activities in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds. The 16-page UN report highlighted that fact, saying business was playing a key role in emboldening Israel to maintain and expand its settlements.

“Business enterprises may need to consider whether it is possible to engage in such an environment in a manner that respects human rights,” said the report, adding, “The violations of human rights associated with the settlements are pervasive and devastating, reaching every facet of Palestinian life.”

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