The Clare-based chairperson of the Ireland Palestine Alliance insists passing the Occupied Territories Bill is the least the Government can do, in light of the ongoing genocidal actions of Israel in Gaza.
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade is set to publish a pre-legislative scrutiny report on the proposed legislation this afternoon.
The bill, now known as the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories Bill, would prohibit the importation of goods from the occupied Gaza Strip and West Bank.
After weeks of deliberation, the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade will launch a pre-legislative scrutiny report in Leinster House at 3pm today.
Since dawn today, at least 34 Palestinians, including 15 aid seekers, have been killed amid the continuing Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
This week, the Tánaiste has announced an additional €2 million in funding for the delivery of goods to the besieged enclave and has signed a joint statement of foreign ministers calling for an immediate ceasefire as well as the implementation of a two-state solution.
Kilmaley native and chairperson of the Ireland Palestine Alliance, Éamonn Meehan says what’s happening in Gaza is completely unprecedented.
In the last week, France, the United Kingdom and Canada have stated their intention to recognise Palestine as a state, as Ireland did last May.
France says it will formalise this decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September, citing the need to end the war in Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
The UK and Canada have attached strict conditions to their pledge of recognition, however, including that the Palestinian Authority commits to reform governance of the country, and that Israel commits to a full demilitarisation of the territories.
Galway-based human rights monitor Máire Ní Mheibhric, who’s worked in the West Bank, says she’s witnessed first-hand the human rights abuses perpetrated by Israeli settlers.
Listen to the full interview here
