Encourage the Irish Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill!!!
on all your social media posts
What does #enactanois mean?
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In the midst of the genocide of the Palestinian people, #enactanois is a call to action for the Irish Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill.
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We are asking everyone to use this hashtag throughout the month of October as a way of showing your support for Palestine and the Palestinian people.
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As Gaeilge (in Irish), Anois means "Now". This reflects the urgency for passing this bill as soon as possible.
What is the Occupied Territories Bill?
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The Occupied Territories Bill would ban the importation of goods and services produced in illegal settlements - including the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
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This Bill has been identified by multiple organisations as the single most important action that Ireland as a nation can take.
Senator Frances Black
“... it’s not a legal issue, it’s a question of political will.
The weight of legal advice makes it clear that we can pursue this if we’re willing to be brave about it"
How to Help
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Post the Hashtag
Share the #enactanois hashtag in any and all social media posts about Palestine.
It doesn't need to be a big lengthy post, you can just share the hashtag with emojis like 🇮🇪 🇵🇸 🍉 to show your support!
Ask other people to share the hashtag too.
Sign the Petition
Sign this petition to enact the Occupied Territories Bill. Over 46,000 have already signed.
Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS)
Do not purchase products that are coming from the Occupied Territories. The No Thanks App ( Apple Store, Google Play Store) can help you helps to make ethical shopping choices by identifying products linked to boycott movements.
Talk to your TDs
It’s canvassing season! If an election candidate calls to your door take the opportunity to talk to them about the Occupied Territories Bill.
About the Bill
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The Bill itself
The full title of the bill is the "Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018". If enacted, the bill would ban any goods or services producedin the illegally-occupied territories in Palestine.
The Occupied Territories
The illegally-occupied territories in Palestine refer to the West Bank (including East Jerusalem).
These territories are the sovereign territory of the State of Palestine, but have seen Israeli settlements invading and confiscating Palestinian land and resources since 1967.
The invasion of this land by settlers has involved violently displacing Palestinian communities and families. Settlers are often protected by the Israeli military and are frequently flashpoints for violence against Palestinians.
Illegal Settlements
The international community considers Israeli settlements to be illegal under international law.
In 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found that Israel's occupation was illegal and ruled that Israel had "an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities and to evacuate all settlers" from the occupied territories.
A timeline of the Occupied Territories Bill
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November 2018
Fine Gael opposes OTB citing unpublished advice from the Attorney General which states that trade is an EU competence. This is disputed by a number of legal experts including former Attorney General Michael McDowell. Further advice from Professor Takis Tridimas, expert in EU law at King's College London states that the bill is legal under EU law.
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December 2018
OTB is tabled in Oireachtas by Senator Frances Black and supported by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, Labour, Solidarity-People Before Profit, Green Party, Social Democrats and Independents
January 2019
The bill gets passed in the Dáil despite opposition from Fine Gael, who invoke a "money message" condition to stall the bill.
March 2019
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar writes to members of the US Congress to outline the Government's opposition to the bill in response to a letter signed by ten members of Congress who want the bill shelved.
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June 2020
The Occupied Territories Bill becomes a sticking point in the formation of a new government as both Fianna Fáil and the Greens included its passing in their manifestos. However, it is dropped from the Programme for Government allowing the coalition to form a government.
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December 2020
Senator Frances Black succeeds in having bill restored to same stage after the dissolution of the previous Dáil.
April 2024
Fine Gael members vote down a motion calling for the OTB to be enacted at their Ard Fheis. The motion also called for the recognition of the State of Palestine.
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May 2024
Attorney General is consulted again and gives same advice
July 2024
International Court of Justice rules that Israeli settlements breach international law. It rules that States must "abstain from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory or parts thereof which may entrench its unlawful presence in the territory”, and “take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”
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August 2024
Taoiseach Simon Harris announces he is to seek fresh advice from the Attorney General
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September 2024
Professor Takis Tridimas and Professor Panos Koutrakas, experts in EU Trade Law again state that Ireland is able to pass the OTB. Furthermore they state that the Attorney General's advice is "erroneous" and "at odds with existing case law."
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