The EU's position on the Irish Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018
9.1.2019
Question for written answer P-000081-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Patrick Le Hyaric (GUE/NGL)
The Irish Seanad has passed the Occupied Territories Bill, which is designed to prohibit Ireland from trading in goods and services from Israeli-occupied territories.
Taking into account:
- —The EU’s position on the illegality of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), including East Jerusalem;
- —UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) and previous resolutions confirming, inter alia, that the Israeli settlements constitute a flagrant violation of international law;
- —The duties of non-recognition and non-assistance under Article 41(2) of the International Law Commission’s (ILC) text on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts;
- —Professor Trimidas’s legal opinion concluding that the Occupied Territories Bill is fully compatible with EC law;
- —The legal opinion of Dr Tom Moerenhout and Professor John Dugard stating that prohibiting settlement trade does not constitute a trade measure and is not in violation of the Commission’s exclusive competence for common commercial policy.
What is the Commission’s position concerning the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill as an Irish State measure issued in connection with the internationally wrongful act committed by Israel with its illegal settlements?
Does the Commission, as a central authority for trade, recognise the EU’s duty of non-recognition and non-assistance in relation to the Israeli settlements, as confirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and other authoritative sources of international law?