Yesterday, Ireland moved towards one of the most shameful events in its history, as its lower house of parliament voted 78-45, with three abstentions, to advance the Occupied Territories Bill.
As the Bill’s proponent Frances Black excitedly tweeted
https://twitter.com/frances_black/status/1088426988258426880
If it passes the final stage, it would make Ireland the first European Union country to criminalize commercial activity beyond the 1967 lines, including east Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. Anyone found guilty of violating the legislation would be committing a crime punishable by up to five years in prison, and a fine of €250,000.
To give you an idea just how vile this Bill is, those who could fall foul of it include any Irish citizen who:
- Buys a souvenir in a store located in the Old City of Jerusalem
- Takes a tour with a Jewish tour company to Judea and Samaria
- Orders some Golan Heights wine online
In response, Israel said it was summoning Dublin’s ambassador for a reprimand today, calling the vote a “disgrace”, while the PM’s office called it “indicative of hypocrisy and anti-Semitism.”
I am personally fuming over this Bill, which I believe is the most antisemitic piece of legislation in recent memory. What a lovely way for Ireland to repay the Jewish people for saving their bacon during the Irish people’s hour of greatest need.
Perhaps as a next step, the Irish should change their parliament’s seating allocation.
Update: Our exports to Ireland are worth $68 million, while our imports from Ireland are $8.7 billion. No prizes for guessing who stands to lose if we cut off relations with them.
