Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee has stated that there has been a "substantial shift" within the European Union regarding taking action against Israel. Speaking after EU foreign ministers rejected a proposal from Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement over human rights breaches, McEntee acknowledged the setback but emphasized the changing dynamics among member states.
Condemnation of Israeli Actions
McEntee strongly condemned Israel's introduction of the death penalty targeting Palestinians and described the escalation of violence in the West Bank as "unprecedented and unacceptable." She argued that the three countries called for the suspension of the agreement during Tuesday's meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers, but also stressed that acting in unison with the EU would yield more effective results.
Call for Unified Action
On Wednesday, McEntee said: "What’s really important for me, though, and I think the approach from Government has always been to make sure that whatever we do... it’s going to have a positive impact on the ground, that it’s going to help people be in Gaza, in Palestine, or the Middle East, that when we work in unison." She highlighted past successes, such as recognizing Palestine, where collective EU efforts made a difference.
McEntee, along with her Spanish and Slovenian counterparts, met before the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Tuesday. They submitted a request to discuss suspending or partially suspending the EU-Israel trade agreement. Specifically, they proposed focusing on partial suspension of particular trade aspects and re-engaging on sanctions against violent settler extremists in the West Bank.
While unanimity was not achieved, McEntee noted: "This is the first Council meeting where I felt there was a substantial shift, where I felt that there was a move from member states in wanting to do more." She plans to work with other colleagues to further progress on the issue.
Progress on Trade Ban Bill
Regarding a Government Bill that would ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, McEntee said: "We are making progress." Independent Senator Frances Black accused the government of using "delay tactics" on the Bill, claiming the minister had sought advice from the Attorney General multiple times.
McEntee responded: "Any piece of legislation that I’ve worked on has various different engagements with the Attorney General and it’s quite often that you’d be back and forth multiple times." She confirmed receiving a second round of advice and will respond soon, adding that it is important to coordinate legislative changes with other member states.
