Israel to summon Ireland envoy over trade legislation

JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli Foreign Ministry plans to summon Irish Ambassador Alison Kelly to protest proposed legislation in Ireland’s parliament that would, if passed, criminalize the selling of goods and services originating from Arab land occupied by Israel in 1967. <br> </p> <p>“Ireland’s ambassador to Israel will be summoned to the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry for a reprimand,” read a Friday statement released by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also currently serves as foreign minister. <br> </p> <p>“Israel is outraged by this legislation… in the Irish parliament, which smacks of hypocrisy and antisemitism,” the statement added.<br> </p> <p>On Thursday, Ireland’s legislative assembly advanced a bill that seeks to impose fines of up to 250,000 euros — or five years in jail — for anyone found guilty of importing or selling Israeli products originating from the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem or Golan Heights. <br> </p> <p>The bill passed by a vote of 78 to 45, with three lawmakers abstaining.