Israel summons Irish ambassador over settlement bill

31 January 2018, 5:18 pm

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The Irish ambassador to Israel was summoned to the Foreign Ministry today to clarify Dublin’s position on a bill that seeks to criminalize the import and sale of settlements goods.

Yesterday, the Irish Senate postponed voting on a bill hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized the proposed legislation.

The envoy, Alison Kelley, said that the Irish government opposes the bill and it was proposed by “independent elements,” the Foreign Ministry quotes her as saying.

The proposed legislation — a private member bill sponsored by Independent Senator Frances Black — declares it an offense “for a person to import or attempt to import settlement goods.”