Gaza horrors persist – OTB passage must be fast tracked
Gaza horrors persist - OTB passage must be fast tracked - The Labour Party
- Calls for action on Central Bank bonds
Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith TD has urged the Government to act fast to enact the Occupied Territories Bill.
As the genocide continues, Smith said Ireland must lead to end trade and ties with Israel.
Deputy Smith said:
“Almost 60,000 Gaza lives have been lost as a result of this genocide. Right now, a man made famine is spreading across Gaza as food and aid is delayed and stymied at the border. Starvation is being used as a tactic of war. It is shameful, and Irish people want action to end this horrendous suffering.
“We need to see the passage of the Occupied Territories Bill and we need to see services added to this. The Government’s proposed watered down version only covers goods, like oranges and dates. We need to see services added to end the financing of the war and to send a clear message to the world that Ireland will not stand idly by while a genocide is taking place.
“Just last week, I introduced a bill to end Ireland’s role in enabling the financing of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The Occupying Power (Securities and Handling of Settlement Goods) Bill 2025, would ban the Central Bank of Ireland from preparing prospectuses for the sale of Israeli bonds and other financial instruments issued by occupying powers.
“The Central Bank has claimed its hands are tied – that it is merely the designated competent authority. But the truth is, under EU law, third-country issuers like Israel get to choose their home member state. Ireland didn’t have to accept this role. By acting as an enabling cog in Israel’s fundraising machine in Europe, our State risks being seen as complicit in genocide.
“We need to keep the pressure on. Government must take action now to end the violence, the killing, the war, the starvation.”