Garry Walsh 🍉 retweeted
📢 Development Perspectives is proud to support Drogheda Stands with Palestine and looks forward to seeing the Occupied Territories Bill enacted as soon as possible.✊🇵🇸
Join us this Saturday -
đź“Ť West Street, Drogheda
đź“… Saturday, Feb 1st
đź•› 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
đź’¬ Every signature counts. Every voice matters!
#DroghedaStandsWithPalestine #OccupiedTerritoriesBill @LMFMRADIO
The Occupied Territories Bill has only made it this far because of huge public support. We need to keep that pressure on every new TD to show that we're not going to forget election promises. No delays, no watering it down.
Please email your TDs now: trocaire.org/100days
Essential update on the Occupied Territories Bill from @frances_black
Key points:
- We need a full ban on trade with settlements, the bill must not be watered down
- Intl law is clear, the ICJ has told states they have an *obligation* to ban trade with settlements
#PassTheOTB
I've been inundated today with questions about the Occupied Territories Bill, so let me get a few things clear.
Firstly, it makes no real difference whether Government passes my legislation, or comes forward with its own. I honestly don’t care who gets the credit for it, or whose name is on the end of a Bill. I have been fighting for this bill since 2018 for one reason – because I firmly believe that it is the right thing to do. The settlements are totally illegal, rob families of their land, and undermine the prospects for peace. We say this again and again, but then trade in the proceeds of the crime. It is hypocritical and has to stop!
What actually matters is the policy. Whether it is my Bill, or a Govt Bill, the key thing is: will it implement a *full ban on all trade* with the illegal settlements? Will it do what is required of us under international law, as made crystal clear by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), or will there be carve outs or exemptions or a watering down? This is the one question every journalist, activist and politician should be asking when the Dáil reconvenes, and when any legislation is moved forward – regardless of who has sponsored it.
Second, many commentators would like us to forget about international law, so I am going to remind them. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the highest court in the world, issued an historic finding. It found that not only is the occupation illegal, that the settlements are illegal, but that there is a legal “obligation” on all states not to trade with them. This is a clear requirement set out by the highest court in the world. The question now is whether we will take it seriously.
The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have both referred to these “obligations”, and I’m glad to see this recognition. The PfG also commits to following the ICJ. But the court was absolutely clear: states must “abstain from entering into economic or trade dealings” and “prevent trade or investment relations” with Israel regarding the occupied territories and the illegal settlements (para 278). There is no ambiguity here. They do not separate this out into physical goods on the one hand and services on the other, because it is not the 1950s. Trade means trade. We cannot just attempt to ignore one aspect of this because it is politically more challenging.
What we are asking for here is also not new. In 2014 Ireland and the EU quickly banned trade in goods *and* services with Russian-occupied territory. This full ban was implemented within months of Russian’s illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory, and rightly so. Why should there be a double standard? International law must be applied equally and consistently, or else it means nothing. This matters even more given the EU’s shameful response to the genocide in Gaza.
I will say it again: if we want to give effect to the ICJ ruling then the quickest and best way to do that is to pass the Occupied Territories Bill. I have no issue with technical amendments to strengthen and improve it, and it is misleading and unfair to suggest otherwise. But what matters is that a full ban is implemented and that we stick to our commitments. No more theft of land without consequences. No more ifs or buts. Ireland can lead on this, and there’s no more time to waste.
I truly believe we’ve gotten this far because ordinary people all over the country have spoken out and demanded action. We have to keep doing so, starting outside the Dáil next Weds 22nd and at the @ipsc48 march in Dublin this Saturday 25th. See you there.
Frances
Garry Walsh 🍉 retweeted
Another week and so, another day of standing in solidarity with Palestine. The #DroghedastandswithPalestine group is working on the petition for the #OccupiedTerritoriesBill and there will a big event on the 1st of Feb from 12-3pm in Drogheda. Spread the word. ✊
In 2013, Jimmy Carter came here & together we argued that Ireland should take action on trade with Israeli settlements, yet the govt sat on its hands. It would be a fitting tribute to his legacy if we now finally pass the Occupied Territories Bill @MichealMartinTD @SimonHarrisTD
The devil is in the detail, as they say. Great that @SimonHarrisTD is standing firm in the face of Israeli & US pressure, but qualifiers around 'a version of the bill' are worrying. Any watering down of the #OccupiedTerritoriesBill would be letting down the people of Palestine
Simon Harris says he hopes the Occupied Territories Bill, banning trade with illegal Israeli settlements, will pass within the first year of the new Government.
#VMNews
Garry Walsh 🍉 retweeted
The function of a gesture like this is to paint the limited action that has been taken - recognition of Palestinian statehood, legal argument at the ICJ - as “extreme”, and thereby attempt to draw a line under it. It would be a mistake to accept or get distracted by this framing.
Israel will close its embassy in Dublin in light of 'the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government', Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has said in a statement rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/121…
Garry Walsh 🍉 retweeted
More than 90% of fossil fuel emissions occurred since my parents were born.
Over 80% since I was born.
Over 30% since my children were born.
And well over 50% since the world agreed at the Rio Earth Summit to prevent dangerous climate change. And I thought: „At last!“
Garry Walsh 🍉 retweeted
Israel orchestrating mass forcible transfers of civilians from the north of Gaza.
Ireland's new government must pass the Occupied Territories Bill.
Sanctions not trade.
This quoted post is unavailable.
Garry Walsh 🍉 retweeted
Of all the native species missing from Ireland, lynx would be at the very top of my list for reintro.
They:
➡ Help regulate grazers, eg deer
➡ Help regulate smaller predators, eg fox
➡ Never attack people
➡ Very rarely take livestock or pets
➡ Are GREAT for tourism...
Election promises must not be broken. The Occupied Territories Bill must make it in to the programme for government. & It must not be watered down! @frances_black @SadakaIreland @ChristianAidIrl @conoraon @irishcongress @ipsc48
All I want for Christmas is ... the Occupied Territories Bill.
Pass the Bill, don't water it down!
@MichealMartinTD
@SimonHarrisTD
Thanks @stand_ie for inviting me in to the amazing world of the Changemakers academy. Such a pleasure to discuss campaigning and advocacy skills with this passionate group of future global activists
🌪️ Not even Storm Darragh could stop us! 🌟
Last weekend, the STAND Changemakers Academy came together for a vibrant two days of input, project development and reflection.
We kicked off with a workshop from @GarryTweets, Campaigns and Digital Outreach Manager at @Trocaire
Garry Walsh 🍉 retweeted
Nobody ever planted a tree in this photo. It was a working gravel pit 30 years ago.
We need to get over our obsession with planting trees and let nature do the job. The results are just SO much better.
It's also about realising we are not, in fact, central to everything. 🌍
Garry Walsh 🍉 retweeted
1000s of people demonstrated on the streets of Dublin today, calling on the Irish government to act for justice in Gaza.
The new government must enact the Occupied Territories Bill without weakening it in any way!
@MichealMartinTD
Garry Walsh 🍉 retweeted
I’ve been told that candidates from various political parties, when asked about the Occupied Territories Bill on the doors, are saying that I’m “happy” or “satisfied” that the Bill didn’t pass in full pre election. So I’m sharing this for the avoidance of any doubt.
We should have passed this Bill *six* years ago! We certainly should’ve passed it in the lifetime of the last Dáil. And we should still do so urgently as soon as a new Govt is elected. No more ifs or buts, no more excuses.
That next Govt is going to come under huge pressure to back down, to go back to the failed EU line of empty condemnation with zero action. They’ll be pushed to make more than technical amendments to strengthen the Bill - they’ll be asked to water it down. They’ll be told that a ban on all trade, as the ICJ made clear is an obligation, is too complicated. Why not narrow the Bill to apply only to the import of physical goods, and exempt trade in services (far more important) completely? If you watch me and my team’s discussion in the Dáil Foreign Affairs Committee two days before this election was called, you can see that pressure has started already. We need your help to counter it.
The way we do that is by showing strong and persistent public support for real action on Palestine. I’m in Councils right across the country and see the anger people feel at the shameful, ongoing genocide in Gaza and EU inaction. It’s frustrating to hear that some candidates are trying to suggest on the door not to worry, that it’s all sorted - because it isn’t.
I’ve been working tirelessly on this issue since 2018 and so have many organisations and campaigners. Nothing is done until it’s done. So if you’re watching what’s happening in Gaza and the West Bank on the news every night, and you’re horrified about it, then please keep telling your candidates on the door - pass the Occupied Territories Bill as soon as a new Govt is formed. Resist any attempts to weaken it. And accept no more excuses and no more delays.
Frances
Election 2024 and a call to action: We are close to making history with the Occupied Territories Bill, but we need your support. Tell your candidates that it’s time for action!
We have been campaigning on the Occupied Territories Bill for six years, and I don’t think it’s ever been busier than the past few months. We’ve made incredible progress and I truly believe we’re close to making history - to taking a stand for justice in Palestine that goes beyond words of condemnation. As the election kicks off today, I’m calling on the incredible network of activists and organisations across Ireland to keep going. I’m proud to campaign with you, and we’re not done yet. 🇵🇸
When I first tabled this legislation in 2018, I knew it was the right thing to do. Six years later, that’s only become clearer. When we look at the horror unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank, it should summon in us the anger to demand real action. How can the world look on and do so little? I firmly believe that we have a responsibility to break that trend – to ensure there are finally some real consequences for Israel’s flagrant violations of international law and theft of Palestinian land. And we have legislation ready to do it.
It shouldn’t have taken this long, but for the first time ever we can now say that all political parties have finally come on board. We have worked hard to build consensus, and it is now unanimous. As @SimonHarrisTD @MichealMartinTD @rodericogorman @MaryLouMcDonald @HollyCairnsTD @Ivanabacik @RBoydBarrett and more have all told the Dáil: after the historic ICJ ruling, it is now a firm legal *obligation* on all states to ban all trade and investment in Israel’s illegal settlements. No more theft of land without consequences. No more ifs or buts. Ireland can lead on this, and there’s no more time to waste.
We should’ve passed this Bill six years ago – we certainly should’ve passed it in the lifetime of this Dáil. But no matter, we will keep going. Because we have made huge progress: public awareness and demand has never been higher, the legal barriers we’ve been fighting for years have finally been dropped, a money message has been formally granted, and for the first time ever *all* parties have pledged to do this. But we know that promises before an election won’t mean anything unless they’re held to account.
So that’s exactly what we’re going to do – starting tomorrow at the @ipsc48 national march for Palestine. We’ll be there behind the #PassTheOTB banner, please come and join us. We now have three weeks to tell every single candidate, TD and party that as soon as a new Dáil is elected, to get into Leinster House, make any last changes to strengthen the Bill, and get it passed immediately. I’ll be working with Govt and opposition to make sure that happens. It’s what I’ve been doing since 2018, and we will keep going until this Bill is law.
Frances
