State must fulfil legal obligations and commitments to human rights
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has urged the Government to ensure that the proposed Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 includes both goods and services in order to meet Ireland’s obligations under international law.
Chief Commissioner Liam Herrick said:
“The International Court of Justice has made clear that states must avoid economic or trade dealings that support or entrench Israel’s unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. That obligation does not distinguish between goods and services, and neither should this legislation.”
“If Ireland is to give real meaning to its commitment to international law and human rights, the Bill must include services as well as goods. This is a moment for courage and principled leadership.”
The July 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice stated that states are obliged not to engage in economic or trade dealings connected to the Occupied Palestinian Territory that may entrench Israel’s unlawful presence there.
In addition, Ireland’s own submission to the Court in 2023, argued that states and international organisations should “review their trading relationships with the settlements” and “take steps to prevent trade that assists in the maintenance of the situation created by the settlement activity”.
IHREC acknowledged there may be practical challenges in enforcing restrictions relating to services in the short term but said these should not prevent the legislation being enacted in full.
“Any operational difficulties can be addressed through phased commencement provisions. They do not justify excluding services from the legislation altogether,” Mr Herrick said.
IHREC remains deeply concerned by ongoing and severe violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Gaza and the West Bank, including attacks on civilians, forced displacement, settlement expansion, and the continuing denial of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, as reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice in its July 2024 Advisory Opinion.
Recent developments, including Israel’s new apartheid death penalty law, have further heightened international concern, with UN experts warning that these are entirely unacceptable measures.
Liam Herrick said:
"Considering the appalling context in which these human rights abuses are happening, Ireland must ensure that this legislation reflects both the seriousness of the violations taking place and our obligations under international law."