Ramallah: Chairman of the Palestinian National Council (PNC) Rawhi Fattouh expressed optimism regarding the Irish Parliament's recent decision to approve a bill banning the importation of products produced in Israeli settlements located in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
According to Qatar News Agency, this legislative move by Ireland is considered a significant legal and moral advancement that aligns with the international rules-based order. Fattouh emphasized that it represents a proactive stance against the unlawful settlement colonization system. In a statement released on Wednesday, he highlighted that the Irish decision effectively implements the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the illegality of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
Fattouh underscored that the ICJ opinion calls on states to fulfill their obligations by not recognizing the unlawful status resulting from the occupation and refraining from any support that sustains it. He extended his gratitude to Ireland and Spain, as well as other nations that have taken or are preparing to take legal and economic actions against settlement colonization. He described these actions as responsible measures that reinforce international law, counter annexation policies, and prevent the systematic exploitation of Palestinian resources.
The PNC Chairman urged the international community and European Union countries to transform their political positions into binding measures that include banning settlement products and imposing sanctions on the colonial settlement system and its leaders. He stressed the importance of holding the occupying state accountable for acts of terrorism and racism committed by settler groups. Additionally, Fattouh called for accountability for severe violations of international law and resolutions of international legitimacy, contributing to the end of the occupation and enabling the Palestinian people to realize their right to self-determination and establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.