Ireland has enacted a historic law banning the import of goods from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. Signed by President Catherine Connolly on July 23, 2026, the law had been approved by both houses of parliament earlier in July.
The law is based on an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July 2024. In that opinion, the ICJ declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories unlawful and called on states not to recognize the situation and to refrain from economic activities that support the occupation.
Palestine welcomes ban, urges similar measures
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it welcomed Ireland's move. In a written statement, the ministry stressed that international law obliges states not to recognize the unlawful situation arising from the occupation and settlements, and not to aid in maintaining it through trade, economic or investment activities.
Palestine called on other countries to impose similar bans and to sanction settlers and their "terrorist organizations." The statement said: "This step, together with similar steps taken by other countries, should encourage states to enact legislation banning all economic, commercial, financial and investment relations with the colonial settlement system."
Egypt sends message to international community
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also described Ireland's law as "an important step." The ministry said the decision reflects a commitment to international law and reaffirms the rejection of illegal Israeli settlement activities.
Egypt reiterated its call for European Union countries and the international community to take similar legal and practical steps to ensure that illegal settlements are not supported, directly or indirectly. The statement said: "Egypt reiterates its support for the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and stresses that achieving security and stability in the Middle East requires ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital."
Settlements and climate of violence
Approximately 750,000 settlers live in 141 settlements and 224 outposts in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Settlers carry out attacks aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians.
In the West Bank, there has been an escalation in attacks by the Israeli army and settlers since the start of the war on Gaza in October 2023. According to official Palestinian figures, 87 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of this year, and more than 1,182 since October 2023. Around 13,000 have been injured, and nearly 24,000 Palestinians have been detained during the same period.
