Comhlámh has long supported The Campaign to Pass the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB), and in our outrage over the ongoing genocide in Palestine and violence in Lebanon, the need for action is urgent.

As we approach a general election, we must keep the pressure on the candidates and the new Dáil to ensure the Occupied Territories Bill becomes law. The OTB seeks to prohibit the import and sale of services and goods produced in illegal settlements, including Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. The proposed Bill has garnered significant attention for its stance on human rights and international law in light of the ongoing genocide.

Here’s why the OTB matters—and what you can do:

 

1. Banning Trade with Illegal Settlements: The Bill prohibits goods from illegal settlements.

  • TAKE ACTION: Share the petition widely and help gather 100,000 signatures to push this forward.

2. Ireland’s Legal Right to Act: New legal advice confirms Ireland can pass the Bill without violating EU law.

  • TAKE ACTION:  Apart from signing the above petition, contact your candidates via the campaign’s ‘Contact Your Candidates’ tool to stress that this bill aligns with international law and Ireland’s ethical stance. The campaign has prepared a sample email and candidate directory for the public to email their local candidates, seeking their commitment to pass the Occupied Territories Bill, should they be elected.

3. Amplifying the Movement: The campaign has widespread recognition, but we need more voices.

  • TAKE ACTION: Promote the campaign on social media and use the provided badges and stickers to raise awareness and spark conversations. Share the above ‘Contact Your Candidate’ resource with your network, via every communication channel available to you to urge others to write to their candidates, including their name and constituency, indicating to candidates that the OTB is a crucial matter among potential voters.

While the OTB is a crucial first step, it’s essential to recognise that more comprehensive action is needed. A full ban on all trade with Israel, not just illegal settlements, would send a stronger message that Ireland is committed to ending the genocide, and upholding human rights and international law.

We must continue to pressure the new Dáil to begin to take some concrete action through the OTB.

There will be significant challenges for the Bill in the newly formed government, so we must ensure that passing the OTB stays on the political agenda and is a significant issue in the election campaign with letters, questions on doorsteps, media discussions, and social media content.

If enacted, Ireland would be the first Western country to implement a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements, a critical legal and moral obligation. This move is not just a leadership opportunity for Ireland; it is an essential stance that upholds international law and human rights. By taking this decisive action, Ireland would reinforce the necessity of sanctioning Israel for its violations and set a precedent for other countries to follow suit.

Visit the Pass the OTB website for resources, learn more and get involved in this vital justice movement. Let’s ensure Ireland makes the move to enact the OTB.