Ireland is working to rally European Union member states behind coordinated economic measures in response to Israel’s settlement expansion and escalating attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, Irish Minister of State for International Cooperation Neale Richmond said.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Richmond said Ireland believes the European response should begin with economic measures targeting activities linked to Israeli settlements and those involved in violations against Palestinians.

He stressed that the violence and attacks in the occupied West Bank involve not only the Israeli government but also Israeli settlers.

Ireland seeks broader European trade restrictions

Richmond said Ireland has already banned imports originating from Israeli settlements and is seeking to persuade other European countries to adopt similar measures.

According to the minister, such steps are intended to send a clear message to the Israeli government that continued settlement expansion, land annexation and violence against Palestinians cannot be accepted.

He said the European Union should also expand its existing sanctions against individuals associated with settlement activity.

“The measures need to be expanded,” Richmond said, calling for additional individuals and entities involved in violations against Palestinians to be subjected to sanctions.

He further advocated banning trade and services connected to Israeli settlements and reducing the trade benefits Israel receives through its economic relationship with the European Union.

Ireland seeks support from European partners

Richmond said Ireland is working with countries that share similar positions, including Spain and the Netherlands, to increase the economic impact of European measures.

He stressed that Dublin would continue advocating for a European policy grounded in international law and human rights.

Ireland’s role in EU decision-making, he said, provides an opportunity to push for a stronger and more coordinated European position on developments in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Richmond said Ireland will host EU foreign ministers next week for discussions on the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.

Calls to maintain support for UNRWA

The Irish minister also stressed the importance of maintaining humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, particularly support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

His remarks come as some European countries consider reducing or changing their support for the UN agency, which provides essential humanitarian and other services to Palestinian refugees.

Richmond urged the European Union to speak with one voice in international forums and continue supporting the Palestinian people.

He also called for European countries to continue recognizing the State of Palestine and to place the two-state solution back at the center of international diplomatic efforts.

Settlement expansion threatens two-state solution

Richmond warned that continued settlement expansion and Israeli measures in the occupied West Bank are undermining prospects for a two-state solution.

Ireland considers the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel to be the only viable path toward a lasting peace in the region, he said.

The Irish minister called on the EU to revive a coordinated approach toward economic sanctions and sanctions against settlers, while reaffirming European support for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.

The occupied West Bank has experienced repeated Israeli military raids and arrests, alongside escalating attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property.

The situation has also been accompanied by the advancement of additional settlement construction plans approved by the Israeli government.

The developments come ahead of Israel’s general election scheduled for October 27, with political parties within the government seeking to consolidate support among settlers living in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

More than 750,000 Israeli settlers are estimated to live across the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, areas that Palestinians claim as part of their future state. (ILKHA)