Implement the Occupied Territories Bill in Ireland
The Issue
Drogheda Stands with Palestine" is instigating this petition to ensure that all elected politicians in Louth and Meath know that the people of both counties want the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) enacted without any further delay. Ireland has had this bill on its shelves since 2018 with successive Governments kicking the political can down the road. No more! Its time for action rather than rhetoric. As Sen Frances Black said, "its not a legal issue, its a question of political will".
The International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an Advisory Opinion in July 2024, which deemed Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land illegal and "required all countries to refrain from trading with them".
All states now have an obligation to ban trade with the illegal settlements. Hiding behind legal justifications for further delay isn’t a tenable position for the Government.
What are settlements and why are they important?
Settlements are Israeli residential, agricultural, and business developments built on Palestinian land in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, that lie outside Israel’s recognized borders. Palestinian communities are often forcibly removed from their land to make way for these illegal settlements. Under international criminal law, moving a civilian population into occupied territory is a war crime, and this is also a crime under Irish law, regardless of where it happens. (Trocaire)
What are we asking for in this petition?
We want the Occupied Territories Bill enacted by the Houses of the Oireachtas without any further delay. In particular, we want Louth and Meath based TDs to implement the wishes of the people who are their constituents.
How will the petition be delivered?
In person, to TDs and Local Councils in Louth and Meath.
References and further links
https://www.trocaire.org/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-occupied-territories-bill/
168
The Issue
Drogheda Stands with Palestine" is instigating this petition to ensure that all elected politicians in Louth and Meath know that the people of both counties want the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) enacted without any further delay. Ireland has had this bill on its shelves since 2018 with successive Governments kicking the political can down the road. No more! Its time for action rather than rhetoric. As Sen Frances Black said, "its not a legal issue, its a question of political will".
The International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an Advisory Opinion in July 2024, which deemed Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land illegal and "required all countries to refrain from trading with them".
All states now have an obligation to ban trade with the illegal settlements. Hiding behind legal justifications for further delay isn’t a tenable position for the Government.
What are settlements and why are they important?
Settlements are Israeli residential, agricultural, and business developments built on Palestinian land in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, that lie outside Israel’s recognized borders. Palestinian communities are often forcibly removed from their land to make way for these illegal settlements. Under international criminal law, moving a civilian population into occupied territory is a war crime, and this is also a crime under Irish law, regardless of where it happens. (Trocaire)
What are we asking for in this petition?
We want the Occupied Territories Bill enacted by the Houses of the Oireachtas without any further delay. In particular, we want Louth and Meath based TDs to implement the wishes of the people who are their constituents.
How will the petition be delivered?
In person, to TDs and Local Councils in Louth and Meath.
References and further links
https://www.trocaire.org/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-occupied-territories-bill/
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 20 January 2025