Paul Murphy: Calls Out €20m Exports to IDF in 2024
Paul Murphy confronted the Government after a report said the Department of Trade authorised €20 million of military-capable dual‑use exports to the IDF in 2024, during the height of the genocide. He asked whether ministers knew, signed off and argued the revelations strengthen the case for sanctions to be debated tomorrow.
Paul Murphy raised a report that the Department of Trade approved the export of 20 million euros worth of military-capable so‑called dual‑use goods to the IDF and Israel's Ministry of Defense in 2024. He demanded answers about who authorised these shipments and whether the responsible minister was aware.
Murphy pressed for accountability in the Dáil, asking directly whether the minister at the time knew about or signed off on those export licences. He framed the issue as central to the wider debate on Ireland's response to the mass slaughter of Palestinians.
While saying the report bolsters arguments for sanctions, Murphy warned a full trade boycott needs careful consideration because of potential impacts on Irish jobs and companies. He said he favours suspending the European Union-Israel Trade Association Agreement, which currently grants preferential tariffs to Israel.
Murphy noted his bill on sanctions and trade measures will be debated tomorrow and urged colleagues to weigh both moral imperatives and economic consequences before making decisions on boycott and divestment.
Allegations of exports
Paul Murphy raised a report that the Department of Trade approved the export of 20 million euros worth of military-capable so‑called dual‑use goods to the IDF and Israel's Ministry of Defense in 2024. He demanded answers about who authorised these shipments and whether the responsible minister was aware.
Questions for ministers
Murphy pressed for accountability in the Dáil, asking directly whether the minister at the time knew about or signed off on those export licences. He framed the issue as central to the wider debate on Ireland's response to the mass slaughter of Palestinians.
Sanctions, boycott and alternatives
While saying the report bolsters arguments for sanctions, Murphy warned a full trade boycott needs careful consideration because of potential impacts on Irish jobs and companies. He said he favours suspending the European Union-Israel Trade Association Agreement, which currently grants preferential tariffs to Israel.
Upcoming debate
Murphy noted his bill on sanctions and trade measures will be debated tomorrow and urged colleagues to weigh both moral imperatives and economic consequences before making decisions on boycott and divestment.
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Transcript
Ciann Comhairle, Taoiseach, the currency has reported today that in 2024, at the height of the genocide, the Department of Trade authorized the export of 20 million euros worth of military-capable so-called dual-use goods, not just to Israel, this is specifically 20 million to the IDF, the Israeli Defense Forces, or Israel's Ministry of Defense. What on earth was the Department doing sanctioning the sale of these goods, potentially for military use, to those organizations involved at the time of the mass slaughter of Palestinians? Did the Minister at the time know anything about it? Did he sign off on it? Did you know anything about it? And doesn't this just make the case for full sanctions on Israel, no trade with this apartheid and genocidal state, which is contained in our bill which will be debated tomorrow? First of all, I haven't read that article in the currency and I'll read it in the first instance before commenting. And secondly, it doesn't justify a full trade boycott with Israel, because I think you need to work out what the implications of that would be for Irish jobs and for Irish workers in particular, and what the impact of it would be. We would favor a suspension of the European Union-Israeli Trade Association Agreement, which at the moment gives preferential tariffs to Israel. A full-on boycott and divestment could have serious implications for Irish jobs as well and Irish companies. You need to just figure that out and work out that so that people can make informed decisions and not make them on the fly.