Frances Black

This is hugely important news. The Occupied Territories Bill I tabled in 2018 was clear, and the ICJ agreed in 2024 - we must end all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, both goods & services. Today's vote in favour from the FA Ctte is a crucial step towards that,…

Three things are key now. First, we should have this debate - but on the basis of the evidence. Much of the spin, misinformation & scaremongering we've seen this week has been shocking. Credit to @irishcongress, @frances_black & others for pushing back. x.com/ChristianAidIr…

For the love of god, let the thousands of trucks of food in and end this horror. Let aid agencies do their jobs. Children are being starved to death. It is not normal to hear this - to see the images - and move on. We are at a point of moral failure so deep it’s hard to believe.

To those who have dismissed the impact and potential of the Occupied Territories Bill over this week, who have said it won’t help. The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland: “The OTB is not symbolism. It is crucial political leadership which can help set a new EU precedent.”

Eyebrow raise at the question aside - of course Govt should consider the consequences of its policies, that's exactly why we're in Ctte - and the unsurprising finding that many agree, it's great to see only 10% opposed. The US Republican view is a firm minority in Ireland. 1/🧵

"The world is watching". We must have the full Occupied Territories Bill with services included. Palestinians can't wait. #SanctionsNow

41 years ago, 11 female Dunnes workers went on strike, refusing to handle South African fruit. Their act had little economic impact but was huge for the anti-apartheid movement. Is the OTB that moment now for Gaza? And is is why the US lobby is so scared? thecurrency.news/articles/19640…

Amid US pressure, the legal arguments for including services in the Occupied Territories Bill are being teased out at the foreign affairs committee. The world is watching to see if it ends up as precedent-setting legislation or simply "window dressing” thecurrency.news/articles/19640…

Worth reading. Mr O’Brien told the FA Ctte that he doesn’t wish to take a position on the OTB - just a sober look at the costs. Right. Much clearer here: Govt should just “end campaigning” on Gaza entirely, forget the “delusion” of leadership. Genocide? Not our problem, move on.

Another week of horror for Palestinians with starvation wracking the people in Gaza. The media, business and political establishment are trying to make us believe that we shouldn't pass the Occupied Territories Bill. Let's show them tomorrow. All out for Palestine! #FreePalestine

📣 National March For Palestine: Stop Funding Genocide 📅 Saturday 19 July 📍 Garden of Remembrance, Dublin 🕑 March with us - Meet at 12:45 for a 1pm start Bring your signs, bring your voice & together let's hit the streets in solidarity ♥️ @ipsc48 @frances_black

The Israeli Government, US Republicans and the business lobby have lined up to attack the Occupied Territories Bill this week. What should we do? I’ll be on @RTE_PrimeTime this evening to speak about the urgent need to #PassTheOTB - tune in! 🇵🇸

Really important intervention by @irishcongress, well done to ICTU, following remarkable claims by @ibec_irl

There is clear, formal Irish Govt advice stating unequivocally that the settlements are totally illegal and involve significant economic risk. Businesses should assess risk, impact on human rights, and seek legal advice. But IBEC has no informed view? gov.ie/en/department-…

Remarkable answer from IBEC at FA Ctte on the Occupied Territories Bill. Asked whether they accept that the Israeli settlements traded with are illegal under International, EU and Irish law, they say they are "not in a position to provide an informed view on that". Seriously?

Very important.. the EU this week recognised that individual countries like Ireland may ban trade with Israel's illegal settlements under EU law. In June 9 EU MS (incl 🇮🇪) called for a ban. Now 🇫🇷 calls to end "all forms of financial support, direct & indirect" to settlements 👇

🚨 Tune in today from 4.15pm, watch live. IPSC and Sadaka at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. It is crucial that the government enact its Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Bill asap and that it includes goods and services. oireachtas.ie/en/oireachtas-…

The Irish government must include services in its new Occupied Territories Bill and give some measure of protection for Palestinians and sanction apartheid Israel for these crimes.