Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has initiated a coordinated diplomatic effort to gain clarity from the European Commission about how quickly it will move to sanction Israel over its actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
It follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's confirmation during her State of the Union speech last week, that she will bring forward a package of measures in response to Israel’s actions.
Mr Harris is asking his EU counterparts, which are considering unilateral moves on trade measures, to co-sign a letter to the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, urging for a swift consideration of a package of measures at the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
In the letter, Ms Kallas is told that Ms von der Leyen's announcement "presents a clear opportunity for the EU to take meaningful action".
"As Member States, we stand ready to work with you immediately to overcome the current obstacles and ensure that sufficient pressure is applied to the Israeli government to change its course and meet its obligations according to international law," the letter states.
Earlier this year, the Government here published draft legislation proposing to ban the importation of goods from the Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Mr Harris is likely to advance the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 in the coming weeks, following the completion of the pre-legislative scrutiny stage of the Bill over the summer.
Across Europe, other member states are making similar moves with Slovenia banning trade with the illegal Occupied Palestinian Territories by executive order.
Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands have stated that they intend to bring forward similar legislative proposals also.
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