of public call for Occupied Territories Bill to be implemented

Michael Bolton

of the public have called on the Government to implement the Occupied Territories Bill in response to the actions of Israel in Gaza.

Documents seen by Breakingnews.ie under the Freedom of Information Act show there were 57 messages on the issue to the Department of Foreign Affairs since January 2023.

The Occupied Territories Bill seeks to ban trade with illegal settlements in territories deemed occupied under international law.

The Bill went through the Dáil five years ago, but was dropped for the 2020 Programme for Government.

In correspondence to the Department for Foreign Affairs, people raised their concerns with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, over Israel.

In February 2023, one person said: "In May 2021, Ireland became the first EU country to recognise the 'de facto annexation' of Palestinian land. Despite this important step, Ireland is still trading with settlements that are illegal under international law.

"Enacting the Occupied Territories Bill would make Ireland the first EU country to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine."

In January of this year, three months after Israel's war in Gaza began, concerns were expressed that the bill would not be implemented before the next general election.

One person who ed the department said: "The Occupied Territories bills must be moved before the Dáil goes into summer recess and before this government is dissolved before the next general election."

Another person took issue with Ireland's lack of action on what has been happening in Gaza, despite receiving praise for statements.

Writing to the Minister, the person said: "I was delighted to hear your colleague and one of my representatives, Ivana Bacik, again call for the immediate ing of the Occupied Territories Bill.

"Your government has sat on this bill for far too long. As sca Albanese said in presenting her report last week for the UNHRC, Ireland talks a big game when it comes to opposing the genocide in Gaza but, in reality, has taken no action to actually oppose it."

The Government was also called on to do more to work towards a ceasefire. "I am asking you to do more to advocate for a ceasefire on the global stage and to ensure ability for crimes against humanity. Ireland should lead by example and implement the Occupied Territories Bill and do all that we can for the EU to review its relationship and agreements with Israel."

There were also calls for the use of Shannon Airport by the US army to be stopped.

One person, ing the department earlier this month, said: "You will see this morning the devastating bombings on approximately 20 tents in Khan Younis (AlMawasi, a so- called “safe zone”) where Palestinian families were sleeping overnight.

"Paramedics on the scene are searching through 30 metre sand craters for body parts and survivors. Eyewitnesses say it has to be bunker buster bombs that were dropped.

"Please condemn these daily horrific attacks and without delay enact the Occupied Territories Bill and inspect the planes going through Shannon."