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Palestinians pin hopes on Irish efforts against Israeli imports

Palestinians are hoping an Irish bill that would ban imports of products from occupied territories will help launch a unified European stance against Israeli settlements.
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RAMALLAH, West Bank — In a first-of-its-kind move in Europe, the Irish Senate has passed a bill designed to block imports of goods made in Israeli settlements located in the Palestinian territories. Though the bill has a long way to go before it can reach the president's desk, Palestinians say they will use this success as a springboard to campaign in other countries.

The Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 doesn't specifically mention Israeli settlements, but it refers to “occupied territories” as defined in international law and in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. For example, UN Resolution 242 calls on Israel to withdraw from lands it occupied in 1967. Some observers think the Irish bill is worded carefully to minimize Israeli pressure.

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