Crowe supports ban on illegal settlement products

Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe today met with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) at the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. The EAPPI representatives called on the Irish Government to ban the importation of goods that originate in illegal Israeli settlements.

EAPPI provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report on human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace.

Speaking after the meeting Deputy Seán Crowe, the Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Diaspora, said:

“The Foreign Affairs Committee had a very open and frank discussion with members of EAPPI today. The representatives talked about their experiences and work in the occupied Palestinian territories, and it was disturbing to hear the nature of the intensification of Israel’s settlements on Palestinian lands and the widespread destruction of Palestinian homes, schools and infrastructure across the occupied territories.

“The settlement policies of the Israeli government amount to the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people from their lands, and they are massively hindering genuine attempts at creating a peaceful solution to the conflict.

“The EAPPI requested that the Irish Government and the European Union introduce a ban on the importation of goods which originate from illegal Israeli settlements within Palestine’s borders. This ban would not be on goods originating from the State of Israel, but on products coming from these illegal settlements.

“I believe this ban would help stop the spread of illegal settlements and I support the EAPPI’s call for the Irish Government to ban these goods.  I am also calling on the Government to use its role as the President of the EU Council, at the beginning of 2013, to encourage other EU states to adopt a ban on these goods.

“I recall taking part in pickets outside Dunne’s Stores in the 1980’s to protest against the sale of apartheid goods from South Africa. Those small but significant Dublin solidarity pickets inspired many who were oppressed and sent a clear message around the world that Irish people were opposed to the apartheid system.

“Ireland needs to stand up for what is right and oppose the system of ethnic cleansing that is being carried out against Palestinian people. By banning these goods Ireland will be on the side of progress, and like the Dunne’s Stores strike, it will give real hope to those working to create the conditions for a peaceful solution to conflict in that region.”