Ireland Calls for Swift EU Sanctions on Israel

(MENAFN) Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Harris has initiated a diplomatic push demanding clarity from the European Commission on the timeline for imposing sanctions against Israel amid its ongoing conflict in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

This call to action follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s Sept. 10 State of the Union address, where she announced plans to introduce a sanctions package in response to Israel’s military operations.

An Irish broadcaster reports that Harris has appealed to fellow EU foreign ministers—some of whom are considering unilateral trade restrictions—to co-sign a letter addressed to the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. The letter urges swift movement toward sanctions during the upcoming EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.

The correspondence emphasizes that von der Leyen's commitment "presents a clear opportunity for the EU to take meaningful action" and highlights member states' preparedness to exert pressure on Israel to comply with international law.

Earlier this year, Ireland unveiled draft legislation aimed at banning imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Harris is expected to advance this bill soon after concluding pre-legislative reviews over the summer.

Across Europe, Slovenia has already prohibited trade with the occupied Palestinian territories, while Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands are working on similar proposals.

The conflict has resulted in nearly 65,000 Palestinian deaths since October 2023 and left Gaza in humanitarian ruin, facing severe famine conditions.

Meanwhile, Israel is under scrutiny at the International Court of Justice, facing a genocide case linked to its war in Gaza.

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