It's no secret that Ireland has become one of Europe's most antisemitic countries in recent months and is also one of Israel's most vocal critics, along with Spain, Belgium and Norway.
For reasons stemming from Ireland's history, nearly the entire political spectrum supports the Palestinians. This is the issue that unites the Irish nation, and Israel and Ireland's Jewish community have few fans.
In anticipation of the announcement of Irish elections soon, politicians are trying to promote a law from 2018 that calls for an end to trade with Jews and Israelis living in Judea and Samaria – what is known elsewhere as the "boycott law," led by the BDS movement.
The bill has almost no opponents – even the Leader of the Opposition, Mary Lou McDonald, has announced that she will put differences with the government aside – all in order to advance this bill.
The penalties proposed in the original version of the law are strict: up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to €250,000 for those who violate the law and dare to trade with Jews and Israelis living in Judea and Samaria.
It should be noted that the law is expected to undergo adjustments and updates – mainly because it does not correspond in any way with the EU trade policy of which Ireland is a member.
* Channel 14 contributed to this article.
