The Occupied Territories Bill: How long will it take to become law and will there be international implications?

In the News podcast: Pat Leahy charts the Bill’s seven-year journey through Irish politics

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Gaza: People gather outside a building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Photograph: Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images)
Gaza: People gather outside a building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Photograph: Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images)

If one country illegally occupies the land of another, and displaces its people, should Ireland do business with the occupiers?

This is effectively what the Occupied Territories Bill is all about. But, like everything to do with Israel and Palestine, the debate around the bill is complex and emotive.

What started as a proposal from an independent senator has now become a major political and foreign affairs challenge for the Irish Government.

Last week, the foreign affairs committee carried out pre-legislative scrutiny of the Government’s new Bill. However, the possible consequences of the legislation continue to worry some in Government, particularly following comments by a senior US Senator who said the Occupied Territories Bill “will only lead to self-inflicted economic suffering” for Ireland.

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So, how long will it take for this legislation to become law?

How is the bill first introduced by independent Senator Francis Black in 2018 to ban trade with Israeli entities based in the Occupied Palestinian territories different from the legislation now passing through Government?

And will there be international implications once the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 has passed?

Today, on In The News, Irish Times political editor Pat Leahy discusses the Occupied Territories Bill’s seven-year journey through Irish politics and what it will mean if it becomes law.

Presented by Sorcha Pollak, produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan.

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak is an Irish Times reporter specialising in immigration issues and cohost of the In the News podcast

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