12 Nations Move to Sanction Israeli Settlements: A Blow to Netanyahu's Government

Twelve countries, including Canada, France, and the UK, announce plans to restrict trade in goods from illegal Israeli settlements, citing rising violence and settlement expansion. The move represents a significant step in international opposition to the Israeli government's policies in the West Bank. In a sweeping blow to Netanyahu's Israeli government, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK have confirmed their intention to introduce national and/or support European restrictions on trade in goods with settlements which are illegal under international law. Others are actively considering these and other measures, in accordance with their national procedures. As of 20 July, the UN reports that 18 Palestinians have died this year in attacks involving settlers. Twelve died at the hands of settlers, three by Israeli forces and responsibility for the remaining three deaths is disputed. Alongside security forces, Israeli settlers in the West Bank, with financial incentives from the government, frequently attack families, burn mosques and destroy and confiscate property, A joint statement from the 12 governments, released on Tuesday said: "The Government of Israel's actions in the West Bank are undermining the possibility of a two-State solution. The situation is rapidly deteriorating amid unprecedented levels of settler violence and settlement expansion, including the unacceptable decision to publish tenders for the E1 settlement project. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the President of France Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney have agreed on the need to take action to prevent further damage. "Together, we are resolute: the two-state solution must be protected, and we will take action in pursuit of a just and lasting peace, based on the principles enshrined in the New York Declaration adopted one year ago. We firmly oppose actions tantamount to the annexation of Palestinian land and forcible displacement of the Palestinian population. " The group say that the government of Israel must "immediately halt the expansion of settlements and civilian administrative powers", ensure accountability for settler violence, and investigate allegations against Israeli forces.introduced by the Irish government already, banned the import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, but not services. 70% of Ireland's trade with Israel is in services such as digital technology and financial activity, which will continue under the new legislation. Violence in the occupied West Bank is worsening as the Israeli Government continues to approve new settlements while settlers and Israeli security forces have "often" acted together to attack local Palestinian communities, the UN's human rights office (OHCHR) warned. There were about 190 attacks per month in the first four months of 2026, putting the West Bank on a trajectory to reach more than 2,000 attacks by the end of the year. , we call on third States to act urgently and in unison to halt the killing and dispossession of the Palestinian people, and to bring an end to the Israeli occupation. More than 200,000 children living below the poverty line in ...10% of children under 16 experienced child-specific deprivation in 2024. More than 200,000 children in Ireland were living in households below the poverty line in 2024, according to new research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The figure represents 17.4% of children, an increase of almost 30,000 children since 2021. The poverty line is defined A north Dublin Thai massage business says they have been inundated with messages requesting "happy endings" after she began advertising her practice online. Amara Thai Massage in Killester offers authentic Thai massage provides traditional Thai massage aswell as sports massage and dry cupping. Owner Lita, who has been in Ireland for 26 years says such Over half of NI women murdered since 2020 were strangled before their death A new study by The Queen's University Belfast found that 55% of murdered women were previously strangled by the man who killed them. Researchers have described non-fatal strangulation (NFS), in which the victim is strangled but survives as "the last warning shot" before she is killed. Women who experience non-fatal strangulation are 750%, almost eight times, more likely to be murdered than women who didn't. The new research found that 55% of women killed in Northern Ireland since 2020 were strangled to death. The other 45% were killed by stab wounds, blunt head trauma, or shot or asphyxiated