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.

Actions speak louder than words.

Enacting the Occupied Territories Bill would make Ireland the first EU country to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine. Trading with these illegal settlements not only makes their existence financially viable but this double standard threatens our international reputation as a country that values human rights and peacekeeping.

These settlements are illegal under international and EU law because they are built on land outside Israel’s internationally recognised borders. Palestinians are evicted from their homes and forcibly removed from their land to make way for these illegal settlements.

ActionAid Ireland, along with a growing number of Irish civil society organisations, including Christian Aid Ireland, Trócaire, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), Sadaka, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) and Amnesty Ireland, all urgently call on the Irish Government to act on this important piece of legislation.

A strong majority of TDs and Senators in the Dáil and Seanad voted to pass the Bill in recent years, but the Irish Government is refusing to take the final step and fully pass it. Sign this urgent petition now.