#465 Occupied Territories Bill: Boycott Or Backfire?

The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

In this episode of the show, Niall dives into one of Ireland's most controversial legislative proposals — the Occupied Territories Bill. The bill would ban trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, a move hailed by some as a powerful stand for human rights — and criticised by others as a dangerous gamble with Ireland’s economy and international trade.

Is this a bold act of moral leadership? Or could it cost us key trade relationships with the EU and the United States?

As always, Niall opens the lines and takes calls from listeners across the country with strong — and very different — opinions.

📞 One caller argues that “Ireland has always punched above its weight in global justice issues, from apartheid to Palestine — we can’t be selective about human rights.”

📞 Another warns, “It’s naïve. The bill won’t change anything on the ground in Israel-Palestine, but it will hurt Irish exports and jobs. Why risk that?”

📞 A third caller suggests that “if we’re serious about boycotts, why not extend this logic to other countries violating international law? Why single out Israel?”

📞 And one passionate supporter says, “Even if it's symbolic, symbols matter. We can’t talk about peace and neutrality while profiting from illegal settlements.”

With lively debate, conflicting views, and Niall asking the hard questions, this episode brings Ireland’s foreign policy into sharp focus.