Government officials believe it would be an “act of economic terrorism” to introduce the Occupied Territories Bill in light of the Trump administration’s tariffs, according to a journalist.
If passed, the bill would ban trade between Ireland and Israel’s illegal settlements in Palestinian territories.
It has stalled due to concerns that it would violate EU law.
Political Editor at the Daily Mail Craig Hughes told The Pat Kenny Show that, given both Trump’s habit of threatening tariffs and his administration’s support for Israel, many Irish politicians think the Occupied Territories Bill should be shelved for the time being.
“The Taoiseach’s spokesman was quick to say that it was still in the Programme for Government last night,” he said.
“But after the Cabinet yesterday, which I would describe as a very gloomy meeting - very stark warnings coming from the Tánaiste and Minister for Trade Simon Harris.
“It was against that backdrop that I was having conversations with people in Government about what would be the next steps that the Government will take to respond against the looming trade war with the United States.”
Mr Hughes said he was told that, once promised tax cuts have been enacted, the Occupied Territories Bill would be the “next rung on the ladder”.
“The words were that it would be an act of economic terrorism to introduce it now,” he said.
'We don't have democracy'
Dun Laoghaire TD for People Before Profit Richard Boyd Barrett said that shelving the bill to save face with Trump would undermine Irish democracy.
“I thought we were a democracy in this country, I thought we had freed ourselves from empire,” he said.
“So, it turns out now that we don’t have a democracy and that the US government - and specifically the Trump administration - dictate policy.
“In particular, when the Government, under very significant pressure in advance of the Election, gave a solemn promise... that the Occupied Territories Bill would be passed against Israel.”
Deputy Boyd Barrett said if the bill were to be shelved, it would be “one of the many [promises] now that are being broken by this Government”.
Main image: A view of the Israeli national flag in front of the Israeli Embassy in Dublin. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto). 22 January 2021
