Deputy Doherty writes to Governor of Central Bank of Ireland over Israeli war bonds

Deputy Pearse Doherty has urged the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland to not renew the approval of the sale of Israeli war bonds.

The Sinn Féin Deputy wrote a letter to Governor Gabriel Makhlouf outlining his concerns.

To be sold within the EU, bonds from non-EU countries must be regulated by the Central Bank of a country that is in the EU. Before Brexit, Britain provided the gateway into the EU for Israel’s financing campaign. After Brexit, the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) took over this role and last September, the CBI renewed its authorisation of Israel Bonds.

Deputy Doherty wrote: “Governor Makhlouf, I am writing to ask that you reflect the will of the Irish people and not renew the approval Israel needs to sell their war bonds across the EU.

“The Irish public want no hand, act or part in funding the bombs and bullets that are slaughtering the men, women and children of Gaza. It is an affront to morality and our history to have any involvement in an occupation that is using manmade famine to slaughter a population. The state by facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds across the EU is making Ireland complicit in genocide.

“History will not look kindly on anyone in a position of power that did not do all that they could to resist Israel’s genocide and stand up for the people of Palestine in this dark hour.

“When I first raised this with you in October 2024 you made it clear that it was your view that in the absence of EU sanctions on Israel you required the Irish government to bring in national measures to the same effect.

“My firm belief then and now is that even under a narrow interpretation of the Central Bank’s legal responsibilities, you can refuse to renew Israel’s approval that they need to sell their war bonds.

“In response to your comments, Sinn Féin produced legally sound legislation to give the Minister for Finance the explicit and immediate powers to take this decision away from the Central Bank and to end Ireland’s involvement with Israeli war bonds. That legislation was rejected by the government without any credible legal justification.

“The failure of political leaders means that Israel has still not faced a single sanction for their ongoing genocide. The cowardice of the Irish government means that the central bank is again left to decide if they will continue the shameful involvement with Israeli war bonds.

“As the governor I am calling on you to do the right thing and to ensure that on the 2nd of September Ireland stops facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds.

“Tá súil agam go mbeidh sé de chonfias agus de mhisneach agaibh gníomhú arís dearcadh Muintir na hÉireann a chur chun cinn. Is mise, Pearse Doherty TD”.