As Ireland debates becoming the first European Union country to ban all imports from Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, Ireland’s Ryanair airlines declared that it was looking into expanding its operations in the Jewish state.
The ‘Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill, 2018,” which is currently being debated in the Irish House of Representatives, would prevent Ireland from importing products from any business holders or companies in eastern Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the Golan Heights, or Gaza—all of which are deemed to be “illegally occupied” by Israelis.
Products from the remainder of Israel would be considered acceptable for import.
According to a report by pro-Palestinian human rights organization Trocaire, the E.U. imports 15 times more products from the contested areas than it does from Arabs in the same regions.
The bill was put forth by Irish Senator Frances Black in June and was passed by the Irish Senate, Seanad. It will now go to vote in the Dail, Irish Parliament.
As the historic legislation by Ireland is under consideration, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, who happens to be on a tour of Israel this week, called Israel “one of the most refreshing destinations,” and said “we can bring millions more to Israel; we will grow as fast as the authorities allow us to.”
O’Leary arrived in Israel on Tuesday, and met with representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and the Israel Airports Authority.
Ryanair recently announced new flights from Tel Aviv to Athens, Sofia, and Thessaloniki, and is expected to operate 28 weekly flights to Israel from 12 different destinations.
Israeli tourism has boomed over the past year, with a 200 percent increase in the number of terrorists from European destinations over the previous year.