Opposition calls for ‘vote of conscience' on Israel Bonds
The Central Bank of Ireland is the designated authority in relation to the sale of Israel Bonds in the EU.
Israel Bonds have been advertised as supporting the country's economy, and more recently, websites promoting the securities emphasise their role in supporting Israel's military operations in Gaza.
The Central Bank is responsible for assessing whether a prospectus for the offer of securities is in compliance with requirements of the EU Prospectus Regulation, with the authority saying approval should not be viewed as 'an endorsement of the issuer'.
Protesters have demonstrated outside the Central Bank and called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' over human rights concerns.
Last month, a Sinn Fein bill which would have imposed restrictions securities on behalf of Israel was defeated after the Government voted against the draft legislation.
On Wednesday, the Dail will vote on a motion on the matter brought by a number of opposition parties during the Social Democrats' time.
The motion says the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza and argues Ireland has an obligations under the Genocide Convention to use all means likely to have a deterrent effect on those suspected of preparing genocide.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney said: 'We have failed as an international community to prevent a genocide from happening so now we have to do everything in our power to make sure that we stop it.'
She added: 'We are urging the Government to allow a free vote, a vote of conscience, because we believe that this is something that many TDs will support if given the opportunity.
'And we absolutely urge the government to support this motion.'
Sinn Fein TD Sean Crowe said he believes the gap between the vote on the Sinn Fein Bill and this motion will given TDs 'time to reflect'.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
Meanwhile, Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris called on Israel to lift a blockade on aid into Gaza.
It comes after Israeli forces stopped a Gaza-bound aid boat and detained activists on board early on Monday, enforcing a longstanding blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Mr Harris said the vessel was an 'unarmed civilian effort' to get food and medicine to the 'starving people of Gaza' in the midst of 'devastation and catastrophic humanitarian conditions'.
He added: 'The UN and humanitarian organisations must be allowed to work independently and do their job.
'It is a shame on the world and international community that people are starving in Gaza.
'The question we should be asking today is not a debate about the merits or not of the flotilla but how it has come to this; that the world is turning a blind eye to starving children in Gaza.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
23 minutes ago
- Leader Live
US tariff relief for UK carmakers and aerospace comes into force
Car manufacturers exporting to the US will face a 10% tariff quota, down from 27.5%, while the aerospace sector will see a 10% levy removed entirely. Sir Keir hailed the 'historic trade deal' with the US, clinched after Donald Trump imposed the import taxes as part of his 'liberation day' tariffs on countries across the world. The Prime Minister and US president finalised the deal for those sectors at the G7 summit, but levies on steel have been left standing at 25% rather than falling to zero as originally agreed. Talks are ongoing to secure 0% tariffs on core steel products from the UK. The executive order signed by Mr Trump suggests the US wants assurances on the supply chains for UK steel intended for export, as well as on the 'nature of ownership' of production facilities. Sir Keir said: 'Our historic trade deal with the United States delivers for British businesses and protects UK jobs. 'From today, our world-class automotive and aerospace industries will see tariffs slashed, safeguarding key industries that are vital to our economy. 'We will always act in the national interest – backing British businesses and workers, delivering on our Plan for Change.' Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the deal would save hundreds of millions each year and safeguard thousands of jobs. 'We agreed this deal with the US to protect jobs and support growth in some of our most vital sectors – and today, we're delivering on that promise for the UK's world-class automotive and aerospace industries.' Kevin Craven, head of aerospace trade association ADS, said the sector 'hugely appreciated' the efforts to reach a deal. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief executive Mike Hawes said the agreement was 'good news for US customers and a huge relief for the UK automotive companies that export to this critically important market'. The Government is also due to update Parliament on Monday on ethanol and quotas on US beef. Under the deal, it was agreed that a 20% tariff on US beef imports to the UK be removed and the quota for US beef raised to 13,000 metric tonnes. A 19% tariff on ethanol imports from the US is also due to be removed, with a tariff-free quota of 1.4 billion litres of US ethanol applied. The bioethanol industry says the deal has made it impossible to compete with heavily subsidised American products. The UK's largest bioethanol plant warned last week that it could be weeks from stopping production. Hull-based Vivergo Fuels said the start of talks with the Government was a 'positive signal' but that it was simultaneously beginning consultation with staff to wind down the plant.
South Wales Guardian
23 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
US tariff relief for UK carmakers and aerospace comes into force
Car manufacturers exporting to the US will face a 10% tariff quota, down from 27.5%, while the aerospace sector will see a 10% levy removed entirely. Sir Keir hailed the 'historic trade deal' with the US, clinched after Donald Trump imposed the import taxes as part of his 'liberation day' tariffs on countries across the world. The Prime Minister and US president finalised the deal for those sectors at the G7 summit, but levies on steel have been left standing at 25% rather than falling to zero as originally agreed. Talks are ongoing to secure 0% tariffs on core steel products from the UK. The executive order signed by Mr Trump suggests the US wants assurances on the supply chains for UK steel intended for export, as well as on the 'nature of ownership' of production facilities. Sir Keir said: 'Our historic trade deal with the United States delivers for British businesses and protects UK jobs. 'From today, our world-class automotive and aerospace industries will see tariffs slashed, safeguarding key industries that are vital to our economy. 'We will always act in the national interest – backing British businesses and workers, delivering on our Plan for Change.' Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the deal would save hundreds of millions each year and safeguard thousands of jobs. 'We agreed this deal with the US to protect jobs and support growth in some of our most vital sectors – and today, we're delivering on that promise for the UK's world-class automotive and aerospace industries.' Kevin Craven, head of aerospace trade association ADS, said the sector 'hugely appreciated' the efforts to reach a deal. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief executive Mike Hawes said the agreement was 'good news for US customers and a huge relief for the UK automotive companies that export to this critically important market'. The Government is also due to update Parliament on Monday on ethanol and quotas on US beef. Under the deal, it was agreed that a 20% tariff on US beef imports to the UK be removed and the quota for US beef raised to 13,000 metric tonnes. A 19% tariff on ethanol imports from the US is also due to be removed, with a tariff-free quota of 1.4 billion litres of US ethanol applied. The bioethanol industry says the deal has made it impossible to compete with heavily subsidised American products. The UK's largest bioethanol plant warned last week that it could be weeks from stopping production. Hull-based Vivergo Fuels said the start of talks with the Government was a 'positive signal' but that it was simultaneously beginning consultation with staff to wind down the plant.
Spectator
29 minutes ago
- Spectator
Labour contenders jockey for position
They say you should never waste a good crisis. And that certainly seems to be the mantra of certain senior figures within the Labour party, given their prominence in recent days. First, there was Wes Streeting out on the Sunday airwaves. Asked about the 'Death, death to the IDF' chant at Glastonbury, the Health Secretary told Victoria Derbyshire: I'd also say to the Israeli embassy, get your own house in order. What happened in the West Bank this week by Israeli settler terrorists needs to not only be condemned, it needs to be acted upon. And Israel cannot continue to look the other way while its own people are carrying out unwanton acts of terrorism and violence. They wouldn't tolerate it, rightly, against their own citizens; their citizens are doing it to Palestinians and it's got to stop. He used the same phrase 'get your own house in order' on Sky too. Exactly the sort of thing that an ambitious minister expecting a leadership contest might say… Then there was Andy Burnham, the Mayor of the Great Manchester. You can always tell when Keir Starmer is in trouble by how much Burnham pops up on telly. He is the SAS of the Labour party, always on standby. So it is no surprise then that Burnham has decreed – shocked – that the proposed concessions on the Welfare Bill tomorrow do not go far enough. Speaking at an event at Glastonbury (where else?), he said: What's been announced is half a U-turn, a 50 per cent U-turn. In my view I'd still hope MPs vote against the whole bill when it comes before parliament… [Labour MPs] face the prospect, if they accept this package, someone could come to their surgery in two years saying 'Why did you vote to make me £6,000 worse off than someone exactly the same, but who was protected because they were an existing claimant'?… I hope they think carefully before the vote, because the vote will create that unfairness and divide in disabled people. Never a good sign for any PM when the young contenders start circling publicly. Still, maybe another moody long form interview will fix it for Sir Keir eh?
