Irish Vote Rejecting İllegal Israeli Settlements Hailed

The Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) chief on Wednesday hailed Irish senate vote which imposed a ban on imports of products from territories occupied by Israel.



In a statement, Saeb Erekat, the secretary-general of the PLO, said the law is "consistent to values and principles of the Ireland and its historical support to right and justice".



The Irish Senate voted 25-20 to advance a bill that would criminalize trade with Israeli settlement, including the ones built in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.



"The Irish Senate has sent a clear message to the international community that talking about a two-state solution is not enough without taking concrete measures on the ground," Erekat said.



Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its part, slammed the vote, saying it has supported "populist, dangerous and extremist" anti-Israel boycott initiative.



"It is an anti-Israel boycott initiative that hurts the chances of dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians," it said in a statement.



According to the draft law import or attempt to import from settlement would be committing a crime punishable with up to five years in prison or 250 thousand Euros fine. -