The ban on Israeli goods will be difficult to control

It will be difficult for Irish consumers to follow proposals that criminalize the purchase of goods and services in Israeli settlements, given the persistent confusion over the origin of many products of the region .

be easily identified as coming from colonies covered by the proposed ban. Many others – including fruits and vegetables – could be grown in an affected area before being shipped to Israel for packaging and distribution before being marketed as 'Produce of Israel'.

About 50 million euros, compared with 231 million euros in exports

According to EU estimates, goods for settlement account for about 1% of this amount, which would bring the total value of these products to 500,000 euros. A 2012 government estimate then estimates about 1.5 million euros, while the Trócaire aid agency estimates that about 1 million euros worth of goods are imported every year.

Fruits and Vegetables

Many fruits and vegetables such as grapes, oranges, dates, herbs, avocados, peppers and potatoes come from colonies. More than half of the world's medjool dates are provided by Israel, and the majority of them come from an occupied part of the Jordan Valley, where farmers say they were driven from their land by settlers .

Ahava Cosmetics occupied West Bank and its products were found in Irish shops

Almost three years ago, the European Union issued guidelines for the labeling of products manufactured in the Israeli settlements. These stipulate that agricultural products and other goods from settlements, which are illegal under international law, should be labeled if sold in the EU. Critics say the rules are too easy to work around.

According to NGOs operating in the region, companies were filmed by bringing milk from farms in these settlements to treatment facilities in Israel. By using such tactics, exporters can present their products as "made in Israel", thus enjoying preferential access to EU markets.