Seanad CEG

The Civil Engagement Group in Seanad Éireann - @Frances_Black, @aliceeire, @love1solidarity and Lynn Ruane.

[Conor O'Neill @conoraon]

Helpful as Dáil prepares to debate the OTB: Irish Govt confirms that this is also their interpretation, and that int. law requires "a complete prohibition on trade with Israeli settlements" - as they move a Bill that explicitly exempts much of this trade.
https://t.co/Buvr4jgpap

[Frances Black @frances_black]

On Wednesday in Order of Business, I spoke about my disappointment on the government’s announcement on the Occupied Territories Bill. What has been proposed is a partial ban, a ban on the import of physical goods from illegal Israeli settlements. The dates and olives grown on stolen Palestinian farmland, but it deliberately excludes trade in services. The tech companies, the tourism platforms, the digital and IT firms that also sustain those settlements are being let off the hook entirely. This is a significant and deeply disappointing walkback, and it would fundamentally undermine the impact of the legislation.

[Conor O'Neill @conoraon]

Two questions for @MichealMartinTD @HMcEntee:

1. If Spain can include a ban on certain services, why can't Ireland?

2. Services ban rightly imposed re Russian-occupied territory in 2014. Businesses complied. If it was implementable then, why not now?

[Conor O'Neill @conoraon]

What does international law say about trade with illegal Israeli settlements? The ICJ was cystal clear that all of it, both goods and services, must end. That's the standard Govt legislation needs to meet - as we told the Dáil FA Ctte in July, to unanimous support. #PassTheOTB

[Frances Black @frances_black]

Lots of work to do in the next few weeks and a big challenge ahead! 🇵🇸🇵🇸

What Govt have announced today is essentially a partial ban on trade with the illegal Israeli settlements. Seeking to ban the import of physical goods like fruit and vegetables, shamefully stolen from Palestinian farmers in the occupied West Bank, is important and necessary and was included in my original legislation. But it's not enough. It omits the majority of Irish trade, in intangible services like tech and IT, which would greatly undermines the scope of the legislation. Govt still haven’t given any coherent, detailed justification for this. We need to see that in the Dáil urgently.
Last year, the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee spent weeks listening to officials and legal experts on this issue, and voted unanimously, including Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil members, that the ban should be comprehensive and include all trade, both goods and services. That is the standard set in the original Occupied Territories Bill which I tabled, and it’s what the International Court of Justice has clearly said is required under international law. It’s deeply disappointing that the Govt seems to be disregarding this, but it’s not too late for them to do what’s necessary. When the Bill finally hits the floor of the Dáil in the coming weeks I will be working with all opposition parties to table amendments to include services. That has been my clear position since 2018 and I'll do everything in my power to make it happen.

[IPSC @ipsc48]

On Wednesday, Irish government Senators shamefully voted against the passage of the Arms Embargo Bill to ban the use of Irish airports and airspace for transferring arms to genocidal Israel
They voted it down despite the Bill passing Committee Stage and accepting amendments 🧵1

[Frances Black @frances_black]

The Government continue to say the right thing on the Occupied Territories Bill, but actions speak louder than words. Settlement trade continues without the action promised. It's up to @HMcEntee to deliver. Listen to the ICJ and the Foreign affairs Ctte, pass the legislation, goods & services - as the Dáil just unanimously voted.

[Frances Black @frances_black]

A clear, united message to Govt from @RBoydBarrett @MaryLouMcDonald @ivanabacik @HollyCairnsTD @rodericogorman: keep your promises made pre-election, stop delaying and pass the OTB in full. Attention on Gaza will fade - now is the time to deliver on commitments, not forget them.

[Conor O'Neill @conoraon]

Dáil opposition united. ICJ & FA Ctte too. Time to act.

With a ‘ceasefire’ in place, Gaza will slip out of news coverage & political focus. The worst thing we could do now would be to back away from our commitments.

Over to you @SimonHarrisTD @MichealMartinTD #PassTheOTB 🇵🇸

[Paul Murphy 🇵🇸 @paulmurphy_TD]

People Before Profit are using our time in the Dáil next week to propose a joint motion with left parties to demand implementation of the Occupied Territories Bill including goods and services by Christmas.

The time for delay and watering down is over.

It's time for action.

[Ireland's Future - Todhchaí na hÉireann @IrelandsFuture]

🚨Senator Frances Black - Ireland’s Future board member - hosted a packed event today in Leinster House on extending Presidential Voting Rights. Contributors included Prof Colin Harvey and Emma DeSouza.

[Frances Black @frances_black]

One of the many things I've learned from the people of Palestine, and from the brilliant campaigners, activists and organisations all over Ireland, is the power of persistence. With seven years of work behind us, we'll keep going until this is done and done right.

Today I was proud to stand with colleagues from the Campaign to Pass the Occupied Territories Bill, as the Dáil returns this week. My message to Government is clear: it's time to pass the OTB in full, goods and services, this coming term. No more delays, and no dilutions.

Things are finally, at long last, moving at EU level. Other countries are following and that is testament to the work we've done in Ireland. A new standard is emerging, we can help set it... but we have to get it right. It must be aligned with international law and the clear findings of the ICJ, which means a full end to all economic support for and trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, both goods and services.

We've got a real chance to lead here - let's take it. #PasstheOccupiedTerritoriesBill

[Seanad CEG @SeanadCEG]

This is incredibly welcome news! Working with incredibly committed activists, we have been advocating for these wonderful students for months. It has taken huge dedication for them to envision to work towards the future to apply to study here as they faced daily existential risk.

[RTÉ News @rtenews]

Fifty-two young Palestinians from Gaza are due to arrive in Ireland today and in the coming days to begin a new life as students in Irish universities https://t.co/rW9JzU6Ojv

[Frances Black @frances_black]

Today I was delighted to attend the launch of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade Report on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Occupied territories bill. (General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill) It was heartening to see cross party support for the inclusion of services in the bill.
This is a hugely important and a welcome step. A Committee with representatives from all parties, both Govt and opposition, have spent weeks looking at this in detail – hearing from experts, from those on the ground. They have cut through the intense lobbying, misinformation and spin and said very clearly: we want this, and we want to do it right. We must end all trade with the illegal settlements, goods and services. This is a cross-party recommendation and it’s hugely significant as it goes to Government.

[Frances Black @frances_black]

This is hugely important news. The Occupied Territories Bill I tabled in 2018 was clear, and the ICJ agreed in 2024 - we must end all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, both goods & services. Today's vote in favour from the FA Ctte is a crucial step towards that, reported here by @JackHoJo.

TDs & Senators from all sides of the House have spent weeks looking at this in detail, hearing from experts, and are stating clearly that we must stand for international law, justice and human rights. Despite intense pressure, lobbying and spin their recommendation to Govt is clear and carries significant weight. I'm fully with them - time to act, time to #PassTheOTB in full.

[Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) @irishcongress]

STATEMENT: The Oireachtas must reject scaremongering about the Occupied Territories Bill.

The Government, the EU, the ICJ, the ICC and the UN are all clear: the settlements are illegal under international law.

It is well past time the Occupied Territories Bill was made law.

[Frances Black @frances_black]

Very important.. the EU this week recognised that individual countries like Ireland may ban trade with Israel's illegal settlements under EU law. In June 9 EU MS (incl 🇮🇪) called for a ban. Now 🇫🇷 calls to end "all forms of financial support, direct & indirect" to settlements 👇

[Conor O'Neill @conoraon]

This is the US group who provide the “expert legal analysis” on the OTB covered in today’s Irish Times. Palestine is not occupied, the settlements are Israel, these are just “Israeli goods”. The lawyer has represented Trump Jr & organised crime cases. “Expert legal analysis”.

[Conor O'Neill @conoraon]

The excellent Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh tells Dáil FA Ctte re OTB: "The Govt's narrow focus on goods fails to ensure compliance with the duty set out by the ICJ. There is no basis in int. law for differentiating between trade in goods & trade in services in the manner proposed."

[Conor O'Neill @conoraon]

US politicians are defending Israel’s efforts to tear up international law and annex the West Bank. They’re criticising Ireland and the Occupied Territories Bill. What should we do? Debated the case on @drivetimerte yesterday, you can listen back here: https://t.co/Y4hYCI9QCp