Protesters gathering on Kildare Street in favour of the OTB. Photo credit: Kelly Smyth.
Dozens of protesters from across the country gathered outside Leinster House aiming to progress the passing of the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB), with many calling for services be added to the bill.
By Kelly Smyth
Demonstrators have gathered outside of the Dáil urging the Government to push forward on passing the OTB, with many branches of the pro-Palestinian movement uniting for the protest.
Groups from as far as Kerry joined in the demonstrations, with artistic performances, poetry and speeches being notable features of the all-day demo. The groups were accompanied by politicians, notably Senator Frances Black, throughout the day.
The OTB is a proposed piece of legislation that would criminalise Irish businesses trading goods with illegal settlements as per international law. The Bill aims to prevent trade with Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine, such as the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
A protestor from Limerick spray-painting a sign at the scene. Photo Credit: Kelly Smyth.
Caroline O’Keane, a member of Irish Healthcare Workers for Palestine, spoke on behalf of the group regarding their presence outside of Leinster House.
“We’re here today because what they’re doing there is completely against all of our ethical beliefs and everything that we work for,” said O’Keane.
“It’s a mystery to all of us here why the government has not enacted this bill. So we’re here to try and push this bill forward in the Dáil, get it enacted, and stop buying goods from the illegally occupied territories in Palestine.”
Caroline O’Keane alongside Irish Healthcare Workers for Palestine members. Photo Credit: Kelly Smyth.
Another protester, Eileen Yates, expressed a much more personal reason for her presence at the protest; her experience of motherhood guided her support for the OTB.
“I am a mam. I see kids like my own being killed. I have a friend in Gaza with four kids who have never seen a life without genocide,” said Yates.
Eileen Yates holding her handmade sign. Photo Credit: Kelly Smyth.
As part of the protest, Sinn Féin TD Donnachadh Ó Laoghaire addressed the crowd, calling for services to be added to the bill.
“Why shouldn’t there be consequences for who trades not only in goods, but also in services? The Irish Government has fallen behind,” he said.
Donnachadh Ó Laoghaire TD addressing the protesters. Photo Credit: Kelly Smyth.
Following Ó Laoghraire’s address, Senator Frances Black attended the demonstration, meeting many of the organisers of the event.
Speaking to TheCity, Black expressed disappointment with the Government’s delay in passing the bill.
“We’ve seen absolutely no signs of this bill getting moved at all. The people have not forgotten those promises, that’s why they’re here today. The activists are saying, ‘We want this bill passed’, and they want it passed as soon as possible,” she said.
Senator Frances Black speaking with a protestor. Photo Credit: Kelly Smyth.
Black, who first introduced the bill in 2018, believes the passing of the bill will set an example to the international community on upholding international law.
“There are no consequences to what Israel is doing, breaking international law on a daily basis. And the reality is that if there are no consequences to what they’re doing to the Palestinian people, if we don’t stand up for what’s right and for international law, then none of us are safe. And I think that’s really important to say. So we need to now really get this bill passed as soon as possible.”
The last time the OTB was discussed in the Dáil was in November, with the Government claiming the legality of implementing the Bill being a reason it is being delayed.
“The trade in services is considerably more complex than goods and there remains considerable legal uncertainty as to whether the inclusion of services is permissible under EU law. We know for certain that the inclusion of goods is permissible under EU law.
We need legal clarity on the point on services. We must take into account practical issues with regard to implementation should services be included in the scope of the Bill,” said Minister for State for Europe and Defence Thomas Byrne.
It remains to be seen whether the Bill will be passed in coming months or if services will be included in any progress despite pressures from protesters.