Ireland Must Go Further: Ban Services From Illegal Settlements Now
As Britain and nine other nations move to ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements, Ireland faces a defining moment. The Government has led on principle, but now it must take the next step and ban services too, or risk being left behind by countries with far weaker records on Palestine.
Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews made the call on Monday, welcoming the international shift but urging the coalition to match Spain's example. His words carry weight: Europe's real leverage lies in suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement entirely.
What did the UK and other nations announce?
Britain, France, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden have all joined Ireland and Spain in banning goods from illegal Israeli settlements. The UK goes further still, also banning some services, advertising of settlement tourism, and financing of settlements.
This is a significant hardening of position, particularly from the UK, which has historically been slow to challenge Israel over its actions in the occupied territories.
Why is the Irish legislation seen as watered down?
The Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods Bill) 2026 passed into law in July, but it only covers goods, not services. Critics say this falls short of the original Occupied Territories Bill drafted by Senator Frances Black almost a decade ago.
Barry Andrews put it plainly:
“It is especially bitter that [European Commission] president [Ursula] von der Leyen has shown again an abject failure of leadership. I commend the Irish Government and would encourage them to take another step now and ban the advertising of services from illegal Israeli settlements, as Spain has done.”
What do opposition parties say about the Government's record?
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee insists Ireland has led the way, pointing to measures already taken that others are now following. She said:
“More and more countries are committing to taking action on trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. I will continue to push for the EU to prohibit trade with settlements in line with its obligations under international law.”
But the Social Democrats and Labour reject this framing. Senator Patricia Stephenson called the UK's move a rebuke to Ireland's “watered-down version” of the original bill. Labour TD Duncan Smith said it should be a wake-up call:
“If another major European economy can move to prohibit trade in goods and some services connected with illegal settlements, there is no credible reason for Ireland to settle for weaker legislation.”
What does Oxfam Ireland say about the way forward?
Jim Clarken, chief executive of Oxfam Ireland, welcomed the international developments but called them “long overdue”. He said the UK will now go further than Ireland, and the path forward is clear: revise the Occupied Territories Bill to include a full ban on services, and push for an EU-wide trade ban.
He added:
“With Ireland's remaining months of its EU presidency, we have a unique opportunity to push not only for a ban on trade with the illegal settlements, but for a suspension of Israel's trading privileges with the EU under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The people of Palestine deserve action, they deserve justice. The very least we can do is to try to uphold international law.”
What happens next for Ireland and the EU?
The Government must now decide whether to revise the legislation to cover services, or risk being overtaken by nations with far weaker records on Palestine. The EU-Israel Association Agreement remains the central lever, and Ireland's presidency offers a rare window to push for its suspension.
This is not about optics. It is about whether Ireland truly stands with international law and the Palestinian people, or merely speaks of it. The world is watching, and history will judge.
Frequently asked questions
Does the current Irish law ban services from Israeli settlements?
No. The Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods Bill) 2026 only bans goods. Services, advertising, and financing are not covered, which critics say weakens the legislation.
Which countries have banned goods from Israeli settlements?
Ireland, Spain, the UK, France, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden have all announced bans on goods from illegal Israeli settlements.
What is the EU-Israel Association Agreement?
It is a trade and cooperation agreement between the EU and Israel. Suspending it would be a significant economic and diplomatic measure, and is seen by many as the most effective way to pressure Israel over its policies in Palestine.