RAMALLAH, July 8, 2026 (WAFA) – The Irish Parliament has passed a bill banning the import of products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

The legislation prohibits the import of goods from "certain Israeli settlements" located outside Israel's internationally recognized borders, encompassing all residential, agricultural, and commercial goods.

While Ireland is the first EU member state to implement such a ban, Spain began applying a similar set of restrictions on imports from Israeli settlements in October.

The center-right coalition government stated that the legislation was based on a 2024 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which ruled that Israel's occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip is illegal under international law.

Ireland has been at the forefront of criticizing the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip and recognized the State of Palestine in 2024. At the time, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar ordered the closure of his country's embassy in Dublin, accusing it of pursuing "extreme anti-Israel policies."

Last month, Dublin barred Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering its territory due to their conduct toward activists on the "Global Steadfastness Flotilla."

Ireland has long been calling for a review of the 1995 EU-Israel Association Agreement, which forms the basis of trade relations between the two sides.

Y.S