15th September 2025
The INTO is encouraging members to participate the ‘global call for action’ in support of Palestine later this week (18-21 September).
INTO General Secretary John Boyle said:
The Irish Government needs to impose sanctions on Israel, including ending all trade – both goods and services – with the illegal Israeli settlements in order to meet Ireland’s obligations under international law and to play our part in ending the brutal occupation of Palestinian land.
Israel has not only utterly failed to end the occupation, defying international law, but it has since escalated its depraved violence in Gaza. Our Government must take action. The INTO and its members are appalled by this genocide.
UN calls for an end to the occupation
One year ago, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) overwhelmingly voted for sanctions on Israel. The vote upheld the International Court of Justice’s earlier ruling. The UNGA also gave Israel an ultimatum until 18 September 2025 to end its illegal occupation.
The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative recently confirmed that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in northern Gaza are suffering from famine.
‘Disrupt Complicity’: Friday 18–Sunday 21 September
A broad coalition of civic society groups worldwide – including trade unions – has organised peaceful and strategic disruptions, targeting complicit entities in an action to ‘Disrupt Complicity’.
To demand that the Irish and UK Governments end all complicity in Israel’s apartheid and illegal occupation of Palestinian land, the INTO will support the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s protest outside Leinster House on Thursday (18 September, 4.30-6.30pm) as well as a protest at the Finance Department, Clare House Belfast (time TBC).
At school level, the INTO calls on staff and students to engage in a short ‘Reflection for Palestine’ during lunchbreak on Thursday or Friday. We encourage all schools to show solidarity by displaying Palestinian flags, signage and messages.
Members are also encouraged to attend the National Demonstration to mark two years of the horrific genocide on Saturday 4 October (1pm) in Dublin.
OTB: New research report
The INTO actively supports the campaign to pass the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB). We urge members to increase the pressure on TDs and Senators to ensure that the OTB is fully enacted during the autumn. The key ask for the OTB campaign is to get a full ban on trade in goods and services.
A coalition of international NGOs – including Oxfam and Christian Aid – recently compiled a new research report on trade with illegal settlements, including up-to-date information on specific service-based EU companies.
Speaking after the launch of the report, INTO General Secretary John Boyle added:
“The INTO reiterates our call on the Irish Government to implement the recommendations of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade , to pass the OTB without delay and to impose lawful sanctions against Israel similar to those imposed on apartheid South Africa.”
The INTO also urges Government to pass additional legislation:
- The Settlement Divestment Bill to ensure that no Irish taxpayers’ money is invested in entities that assist or profit from the occupation.
- The Arms Embargo Bill that will prevent Irish airspace and airports being used to transit weapons to Apartheid Israel.
Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS)
The INTO is an ardent supporter of the BDS campaign. We have declared our offices to be Apartheid Free Zones (AFZs). Many branches, districts and schools have done likewise. We urge all INTO members to follow this lead where possible.