Around 100 demonstrators gathered outside Dublin’s Central Bank on Tuesday, calling on the institution to halt its approval of Israel bond sales in the EU ahead of a crucial renewal deadline next month.
The protest targeted the Central Bank’s role as the designated EU authority for approving Israel bond sales, demanding the institution refuse renewal when the current prospectus expires on September 2nd. Protesters also called for the government to expand the Occupied Territories Bill to include services and expedite its passage into law.
Israel bonds, which have been marketed as supporting the country’s economy, now explicitly promote their role in funding military operations in Gaza according to recent promotional materials. Critics argue these “war bonds” directly finance what they characterize as genocide in Gaza.
Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign chairwoman Zoe Lawlor accused the state of complicity, stating: “The government has to end the direct involvement of the Central Bank in apartheid Israel’s sale of genocide-funding bonds. The Central Bank is an organ of this state, and its complicity in genocide makes Ireland complicit.”
The Central Bank maintains it must approve prospectuses that meet EU standards for completeness, consistency and comprehensibility under current regulations. However, the Joint Committee on Finance has recommended an immediate review before renewing approval.
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has launched legal proceedings against the Central Bank, claiming investors in Israeli bonds could face legal complicity in genocide. The case alleges the bank failed to disclose these risks to potential investors.
Sinn Féin’s foreign affairs spokesman Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire urged the government to “use every lever at its disposal” regarding Gaza, stating that ending facilitation of Israeli war bonds represents essential leadership action.
David Landy of Jews for Palestine argued the bank should do “the absolute minimum required under law” by ending Israeli bond sales to cease “direct Irish participation in Israeli genocide.”