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Imagine! If a controversial bill passes into law in Ireland, traveling to the Old City of Jerusalem or Judea and Samaria will become a criminal act!
Ireland’s Senate recently passed a bill that would criminalize importing or selling Israeli goods made in Judea, Samaria, eastern Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.
What many do not realize is that if this controversial bill, known as the Control of Economic Activities (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018, passes into law, traveling to the Old City of Jerusalem or Judea and Samaria will become a criminal act!
If the bill is passed, Irish citizens could face up to five years in prison or be forced to pay a hefty fine for visiting Christian and Jewish holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City or buying religious keepsakes.
Furthermore, Palestinians employed by Israeli businesses in Judea and Samaria, as well as in Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, would suffer from the legislation.
For example, hundreds of Palestinian workers lost their jobs in 2016 when the SodaStream factory in Judea – where they were employed and enjoying benefits equal to their Israeli colleagues and far superior to those offered within the Palestinian Authority – was targeted by BDS activists and ultimately forced to move.
This anti-Semitic legislation, which ignores all other conflicts surrounding disputed territory and countries committing profound human rights abuses, attacks the one-and-only Jewish state. Its purpose is not to help the Palestinian people but, rather, to erase the historic Jewish connection to the Land of Israel.
Indeed, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement is anti-Semitic at its core.
Moreover, Ireland could face infringement proceedings by the European Union (EU) if the bill becomes law, the European Commission has warned.
“The Ireland Israel Alliance is firmly opposed to this bill on the grounds that it is immoral, discriminating and illegal,” stated Jackie Goodall, founder and chairperson of the organization.
Passing such a bill would not only affect Israel’s tourism industry. It would result in economic consequences for Ireland, more significant than the loss of trade with Israel, which was Ireland’s 11th-largest export partner in 2016, with $1.63 billion.
The anti-Israel bill has already passed the upper and lower Irish houses of parliament and is awaiting a final stamp of approval from Ireland’s government.
“Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, and whoever curses Israel will be cursed.” (Numbers 24:9)
DO NOT REMAIN SILENT WHEN AN OBSCENE BILL TARGETING THE ONE-AND-ONLY JEWISH STATE COULD BECOME LAW!
Contact the following politicians and tell them this is unacceptable!
Senator Ned O’Sullivan ned.osullivan@oireachtas.ie
Independent Member of Parliament Michael Healy-Rae michael.healy-rae@oireachtas.ie
Speaker of the House Seán Ó Fearghaíl ceann.comhairle@oireachtas.ie
Senator Jerry Buttimer jerry.buttimer@oireachras.ie
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