Egypt welcomes Irish law banning imports of goods from Israeli settlements

Egypt welcomed Ireland’s enactment of a law banning imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, urging other European Union countries to adopt similar measures.

The foreign ministry said on Monday the legislation reflected Ireland’s commitment to international law and UN resolutions rejecting Israeli settlements, which it said violate Palestinian rights and undermine prospects for a two-state solution.

The Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026 became law on 23 July after Irish President Catherine Connolly signed the legislation following its approval by parliament, completing the country’s constitutional process.

Egypt also welcomed what it described as measures taken by Belgium and the Netherlands to restrict trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements, calling on other EU member states and the wider international community to adopt similar legal measures.

The ministry said such steps would help ensure countries do not contribute, directly or indirectly, to activities linked to Israeli settlements, which are widely considered illegal under international law.

Egypt reiterated its support for what it described as the Palestinian people’s legitimate and inalienable rights, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, saying this remained the basis for achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English