Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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8. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will re-examine the proposed legislation to ban the import of goods from illegal settlements in Palestine in view of recent attacks by the Israeli state there on human rights and the ongoing demolition of homes by the Israeli state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38339/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The demolition by Israeli authorities of private property is of grave concern. Demolition and confiscation of humanitarian assets, including education infrastructure, is contrary to Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law, and in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention.

I was deeply dismayed to learn of the demolition by Israeli authorities on 3 November of more than 70 structures, in the community of Humsa Al Bqai’a located in the northern Jordan Valley. I issued a statement on 6 November and Ireland’s Representative Office in Ramallah has visited the site of the demolitions. Ireland, the EU, and the wider humanitarian community are ready to support those impacted and the West Bank Protection Consortium, of which Ireland is a member, is providing emergency shelter and support to affected families.

Ireland has a very clear position on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. They are illegal under international law and actively undermine the prospects for a Two-State solution.

You raise the issue of a ban on import of settlement goods. Such a ban would not be compatible with EU law, and would not be implementable. This is the clear legal advice on this matter. The Government will therefore not be taking it forward.

As it stands, however, EU law does already make a meaningful distinction between Israel, and settlements in occupied territory. This distinction has important practical effects. Since settlements are not part of Israel, the EU-Israel Association Agreement does not apply to them. This means that different tariffs apply to goods from settlements, and settlements are not eligible for participation in EU-Israel programmes.

EU law and guidelines clearly differentiate between settlements on the one hand, and Israel, on the other. As such, they are an important part of the EU contribution to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemns the construction and expansion of settlements.

Ireland will maintain its vigilance to ensure full implementation of these laws and guidelines.