Leitrim County Council unanimously urges Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill

At November’s meeting of Leitrim County Council, members from Palestine Solidarity Groups across the county were present to witness the presentation of motions urging the Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill.

The Occupied Territories Bill is a proposed law in Ireland aimed at preventing the country from trading goods and services from illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories.

Calls for the enactment of this bill have intensified significantly following Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023.

“We’re from various solidarity groups across the county and we’re aware a number of councillors are submitting a motion this evening to push the Dáil to pass the occupied territories bill which has been sitting on the books for years and years,” said Ciara Flanagan, outside the Council Chamber.

Ciara is a member of North Leitrim Palestine Solidarity Group.

“As far as we’re concerned, it’s the absolute bare minimum that the state should be doing to try send a clear message to Israel that is blatantly committing apartheid and genocide in Palestine.

“The bill would hopefully stop the purchase of certain products and goods that are being made in illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land,” she concluded

Cllr Brendan Barry and Cllr James Gilmartin each had a similar motion, calling for the Irish Government to enact the bill. 

Their motions were presented jointly, with members of the Palestine Solidarity Groups seated in attendance to observe.

“My motion has the word immediately in it and I suppose we’d be hoping that the Irish Government will act now. 

“The Occupied Territories Bill was introduced in 2018 which is a long time ago now and several Irish Governments have been blocking and delaying it. It should be moved straight away,” urged Cllr Barry.

“Genocide must stop” - councillor calls for end of all trade with Israel

“There needs to be an immediate ceasefire”, the meeting heard

Cllr Barry noted that over 43,000 have been killed in Gaza, with hundreds of thousands deprived of water, food and medicine, which he described as ‘collective punishment.’

“The Irish Government in 2023 imported over €3.6b worth of products from Israel. 

"A lot of that is coming from occupied territories and we shouldn’t be assisting Israel in those illegal settlements in Gaza, the West Bank or Lebanon,” he added.

Cllr Gilmartin described the enactment of the bill as ‘of utmost importance,’ for a county and nation that values fairness and equality.

“It’s not merely a matter of trade policy, it’s about aligning our actions with our values and showing solidarity with those suffering under occupation,” Cllr Gilmartin said.

Councillors backed the two motions, adding comments to express their solidarity.

“Unlike Germany during World War Two, we cannot say we didn’t know,” said Cllr Róisín Kenny.

Cllr Justin Warnock emphasised that the number of people killed exceeds the entire population of Leitrim.

Cllr Enda Stenson supported the motion but questioned its impact, noting that the United States, as the most influential country, is the primary funder of the war.

“Ireland is of very little significance regarding what happens in Israel, it’s what the American’s do,” he commented.

Cllr Barry remarked that it’s never too late to ‘do the right thing.’

“It’s what we do as a people here in Leitrim that’s most important. All you can do is your best and all of these things start small,” Cllr Gilmartin replied.

Leitrim County Council ultimately reached a unanimous decision to pass the motions, after which members of the Palestine Solidarity Groups departed, appearing pleased with the outcome.

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