Government hiding behind legal advice to avoid sanctioning Israel - Pearse Doherty

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has branded the government's decision to oppose the Israeli War Bonds Bill ‘shameful’ and called on them to produce any legal advice they have before this evening’s vote.

Israel Bonds are investment bonds issued by Israel to raise money and are advertised with the slogans “Israel is at war” and “Stand with Israel”.

To be sold within the EU, bonds from non-EU countries must be regulated by the Central Bank of a country that is in the EU. Before Brexit, Britain provided the gateway into the EU for Israel’s financing campaign. After Brexit, the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) took over this role and last September, the CBI renewed its authorisation of Israel Bonds.

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“It is deeply shameful, in the face of genocide, for government to continue to allow Israel to use Ireland to sell war bonds in the EU,” Teachta Doherty said. “Their claim that Sinn Féin's Bill is not compatible with EU law is not credible and I challenge them to produce that legal advice ahead of tomorrow’s vote.

“The Sinn Féin bill is legally sound and independently drafted by the Parliamentary Legal Advisors and underpinned by a full legal opinion. That legal opinion found that banning Israeli war bonds is ‘constitutionally compliant, compatible with EU law and in accordance with international law’.

“This is the same tactic used to delay, and still being used to delay, the Occupied Territories Bill, which we know from the leaked attorney general’s advice. Sinn Féin will be pushing for a full roll call vote to ensure there is a historical record of anyone who chooses to hide behind this excuse and support continuing to help Israel fund its genocide.”