Ireland’s parliament has taken another step toward adopting one of Europe’s toughest trade measures targeting Israel, approving legislation that would prohibit the import of goods produced in Israeli communities in eastern Yerushalayim and Judea and Samaria.

The proposed measure, known as the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill, would ban agricultural products, commercial merchandise, and other goods originating from what the legislation describes as “certain Israeli settlements.”

Although Ireland was among the first European Union countries to champion such restrictions, Spain became the first EU member state to implement similar import limitations last October.

Ireland’s center-right coalition government drafted the legislation following a 2024 advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which claimed that Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria, eastern Yerushalayim, and Gaza is contrary to international law.

The measure first advanced through Ireland’s parliament in November 2025, prompting criticism from the U.S. State Department, which cautioned that the legislation could “adversely affect American businesses operating in Ireland.”

Ireland has emerged as one of Israel’s most outspoken critics in Europe since the outbreak of the Gaza war, which began after Hamas launched its October 2023 terrorist attack against Israel.

In April 2024, then-Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris came under criticism from Israel after omitting any mention of the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas during his first address as the country’s new leader.

Harris later condemned Israel’s military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, accusing the Jewish state of a “pattern of flouting international law and disregard for rules of engagement.”

The following month, Ireland joined Spain and Norway—and later Slovenia—in formally recognizing a Palestinian state. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar ordered the closure of Israel’s embassy in Dublin, citing Ireland’s “extreme anti-Israel policies.”

Relations deteriorated further last month when the Irish government barred National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country.

Even if the legislation ultimately becomes law, its economic impact is expected to be minimal. Irish imports from Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria—primarily timber, fruits, and vegetables—totaled less than €1 million between 2020 and 2024.

The bill now moves to Ireland’s upper house of parliament, where it must receive final approval before becoming law.

{Matzav.com}