Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

On 10 December 2009, the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs issued technical advice on the labelling of produce grown in the occupied Palestinian territories. It was issued to allow British retailers and consumers to distinguish between products from Palestinian producers and those from Israeli settlements in the region. That act would give the consumer the ability to choose the produce he or she buys. I urge the Government to follow the British Government on this matter. Currently under European law, foods from outside the EU must be labelled with their country of origin. Products from the West Bank are not differentiated between settlement and Palestinian. However, under new, progressive UK guidelines, the British Government recommends indicating whether Palestinians or settlers made the product on the labels of West Bank produce.

Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are unlawful under international law. They contravene Article 49.6 of the Fourth Geneva Convention 1949, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its own civilian population into occupied territory. The move by the British Government peacefully and constructively sends a message to Israel that Britain recognises that this is illegal behaviour and will provide its citizens with appropriate information to allow them make an informed decision now on whether they wish to purchase foods produced in illegal settlements.

Israel has shown flagrant disregard for both international law and the human rights of the Palestinians. According to Mr. John Ging, in 2009, the number of Gazans living in abject poverty trebled to 300,000, which equates to one in five residents of Gaza. Gaza is one of the poorest and most densely populated places on earth and, for the past three years, the Israelis have maintained a blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has slowly and systematically brought the residents and infrastructure of the area to their knees. The Government and the international community are failing in their moral obligation to prevent human rights abuses in this matter. Israel is breaking the law without any repercussions, but it is important to acknowledge that Ireland and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in particular, has been a positive influence and been supportive of the peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinians. I ask that the Government implements this labelling process without delay as a gesture to the Palestinian people that they are recognised by the Irish people.

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