Ireland seeks unilateral trade measures against Israel, independent of EU

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris has said that his country is aiming to impose unilateral trade measures against Israel, independent of the European Union, following the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on the occupation state, Anadolu has reported. The report cited Harris’s remarks to journalists ahead of the Gulf-European summit in the Belgian capital, Brussels, on Wednesday.

“It’s important to say Europe has not yet used every lever at its disposal,” the Irish leader pointed out. “It is entirely appropriate that the EU-Israel association agreement would be reviewed. This is the view of both the Irish people and government. Ireland will not wait for everybody in Europe to move on the issue of trade in the occupied Palestinian territories.”

Harris also revealed that the Irish government expects to receive formal advice from the country’s Attorney General next week on potential actions in this regard.

During a session in The Hague on 19 July, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion concerning the consequences of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. The World Court affirmed that the occupied Palestinian territories constitute a “single territorial unit” that must be protected and respected.

The court concluded further that the Israeli occupation is “unlawful” and should be ended “as rapidly as possible”, including all new settlement buildings and current settlements. It has been pointed out that, “While advisory, the laws upon which the ICJ opinion is based are binding on UN member states.”

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in September calling for an end to the Israeli occupation within 12 months.

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