Ireland protesters demand ban on trade with Israeli settlements

​​​​​​​DUBLIN (AA) - Protesters gathered in front of the Irish parliament building for three days, demanding Thursday that the government pass a long-debated "Occupied Territories Bill” to ban the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The demonstrators, who included health care workers and activists, displayed signs with slogans such as, "Healthcare is not a target", "Help Gaza now" and "Ceasefire now."

The protests featured speeches and songs dedicated to raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, with a particular focus on the situation in the Gaza Strip.

Dr. Katrina Barrett, representing the Irish Healthcare Workers Association, emphasized the dire state of the health care system in Gaza, claiming that more than 1,000 health care workers had been killed in Israeli attacks.

"We are urging our government to pass the Occupied Territories Bill to send a clear message that Ireland will not support trade with illegal settlements," Barrett told Anadolu. She added that demonstrators also want the government to halt the use of Shannon Airport for military purposes linked to Israel.

The protests come at a time when public opinion in Ireland is overwhelmingly in favor of the bill.

A recent poll indicated that 82% of the 7,357 respondents support its passage.

The Occupied Territories Bill, introduced in 2018 by Independent Sen. Frances Black, seeks to ban the import of goods and services from areas deemed to violate international law, with a specific focus on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Ireland would become the first European country to implement such legislation, if enacted.

Protesters and supporters of the bill argue that it aligns with Ireland’s commitment to international human rights, and they demand the government act swiftly to protect the rights of Palestinians.

The bill remains a critical issue on Ireland’s political agenda, with growing calls from civil society for its passage as a stance against the occupation and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.