Ireland moves to ban trade with Israeli-occupied territories

The Irish government approved on Tuesday the drafting of a bill to ban the import of goods from Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law, an unprecedented move for a European Union member.

The move comes after the International Court of Justice last year said Israeli occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip was illegal under international law in an advisory opinion, which guided the Irish government's decision, it said.

"The government has agreed to advance legislation prohibiting trade in goods with illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory," a foreign ministry spokesperson told AFP.

"It is the government’s view that this is an obligation under international law," they added. 

Before the cabinet decision, Foreign Minister Simon Harris told reporters that he hoped other EU countries would follow Ireland's lead.

"What I hope today is when this small country in Europe makes the decision and becomes one of the first countries, and probably the first country, in the western world to consider legislation in this space, I do hope it inspires other European countries to join us," said Harris, who is also Irish deputy prime minister.