Tipperary councillors pass motion in support for the Occupied Territories Bill

Nenagh councillor Seamus Morris has said Ireland needs to do more than pass and enact the Occupied Territories Bill in response to the Israeli campaign in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Cllr Morris was supporting a motion put forward by Clonmel councillor Pat English to write to the Tánaiste to show council support for the Occupied Territories Bill at a recent sitting of Tipperary County Council.

Cllr Morris expressed his horror and frustration with the continued attack on Gaza and escalating violence in the West Bank.

“I watched a video of children burned alive in tents.

“Palestinians are running around and being told some areas are safe and then burned alive on camera.

“We need to look at everything we do with Israel and not just the occupied territories.

“The time for talk is over. We have to stop playing politics with them,” said Cllr Morris.

Cllr Morris also expressed his concern at the threat posed by Israeli forces to Irish Peace Keepers in Lebanon.

Cllr Pat English said in support of his motion that Ireland needs to “set an example for other countries.”

“It is vital that we don’t allow these crimes to happen,” said Cllr English.

The motion which passed reads:.

“That Tipperary County Council request the Irish Government pass the Occupied Territories Bill which would make it illegal to do business with anyone who is illegally occupying an area of land anywhere in the world.

“Trade embargoes like this would apply to illegal Israeli settlers trying to profit from Palestinian land.

“As Israel continues to expand its settlements in the West Bank, it is vital that we ensure these crimes are not rewarded with trade from Ireland.

“If the Occupied Territories Bill is passed we can set an example for other countries to follow. Just like what happened with apartheid in South Africa.”

The motion passed with widespread support.

Cllr Richie Molloy said he found the coverage of the conflict “shocking” and said Israel seemed “hellbent” on destruction despite international condemnation.

“There are no signs of them stopping. So, the world will have to cooperate and put on some pressure,” said Cllr Molloy.

Cllr Ann Marie Ryan said it was a “very important motion” while Cathaoirleach Cllr Declan Burgess said Tipperary County Council “stands for peace.”

REVIEW

Last week, Tánaiste Micheál Martin issued a statement saying the Occupied Territories Bill needed to be reviewed in light of advice from the Attorney General.

He said amendments will be put forward because the “context” has changed because of the International Court of Justice’s July Advisory Opinion.

“As I said at the time, the international community must turn its mind to implementation.

“This is more urgent than ever. The death and destruction in Gaza and the West Bank must stop.

“Israel must fulfil its obligations under international law.”

“Today the government decided that, in light of the Advisory Opinion and the advice of the Attorney General, the Bill will be reviewed and amendments will be prepared in order to bring it into line with the Constitution and EU law.”

“There are a range of complex policy and legal issues to be resolved.”

The Tánaiste went on to say that the government want to see action on an EU level but should that not happen it is possible to act on a national level.

They will, therefore, work in consultation with the bill's sponsor Francis Black to make amendments to the current bill.

He also said the Government remains committed to promoting a two-state solution in the region.