• Ireland plans to draft legislation banning trade with Israeli firms in occupied territories.
• Foreign Minister Simon Harris emphasizes the need for international action against Israel's practices.
• The bill is seen as a symbolic move following a UN advisory opinion on the legality of Israeli occupation.
• This legislation marks a significant stance for an EU member state regarding Israeli settlements.
• The legislative process is likely to conclude by autumn 2025.

The Irish government is moving forward with plans to draft legislation that would ban trade with Israeli firms operating in occupied Palestinian territories, making Ireland the first European Union member state to take such action. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris announced that the government aims to present the draft to the Committee on Foreign Affairs soon, while emphasizing that "the world has to act" in response to the situation in Gaza, which he referred to as "war crimes" and "genocidal activity" according to TRT Global and Middle East Eye.

This decision follows a series of political responses to Israel's military operations in Gaza and its expansion of settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. The draft legislation is partly inspired by an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which deemed Israeli occupation unlawful. Harris expressed hope that Ireland's initiative might inspire other EU nations to take similar actions in support of Palestinian rights, as reported by Reuters and Le Monde.