Ireland is in the crosshairs of a group of 16 Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives who have written to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent requesting that he consider adding Ireland to a list of countries boycotting Israel, this if the Irish government's proposed Occupied Territories Bill is passed by the Oireachtas.
The move, said an Irish Times report, will increase pressure on the Irish Government from the US over its plans for the bill, which would prohibit trade in goods with the occupied Palestinian territories.
"The Government has said it is committed to passing the bill, and is considering whether to include trade in services under its ambit. However, some business groups have warned the bill’s passing may have significant implications for US companies here."
The call to to Secretary Bessent, sent Thursday, August 7 and signed by the 16 Congress members, is being led by upstate New York Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.
It is likely to be favourably received by the Treasury Department, the Times report stated.
A posting on Rep. Tenney's website states: "Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) is leading a letter with 15 House Republican colleagues calling on Treasury Secretary Bessent to investigate whether Ireland’s proposed boycott of Israel violates U.S. anti-boycott law.
"The effort urges the Department of the Treasury to conduct a formal review under Section 999 of the Internal Revenue Code and consider adding Ireland to the list of countries that require or may require participation in international boycotts against the U.S. or its allies.
"Rep. Tenney continues to lead efforts in Congress to confront the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and push back against international attempts to economically isolate America’s closest ally in the Middle East. The letter reaffirms her commitment to ensuring that anti-Semitic discrimination is met with real consequences under U.S. law.
"Last month, the Irish government introduced legislation to ban the import of goods from territories under Israeli administration, including Judea and Samaria, parts of Jerusalem, Gaza, and the Golan Heights. This legislation aligns with the global BDS movement, which seeks to delegitimize Israel and create legal uncertainty for U.S. companies operating abroad. If adopted, the measure could subject Ireland to disclosure and reporting requirements under Section 999, impacting foreign investment and bilateral trade."
Said Tenney in her posting: “Ireland’s proposed boycott is a blatant attempt to isolate and delegitimize Israel on the world stage. This proposed boycott is discriminatory, dangerous, and would violate U.S. law. The Treasury Department has the duty to enforce the law, protect American businesses, and hold countries accountable when they promote foreign boycotts against our allies. The United States will not stay silent while our allies are targeted by hostile political agendas."
Tenney's posting carried additional comments by various groups and individuals.
"U.S. allies and adversaries across the world are on notice. There will be consequences to their immoral attempts to economically attack Israel. U.S. law that was designed to combat this type of discrimination against the Jewish state must be rigorously enforced,” said American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
“U.S. law is clear: countries that engage in economic discrimination against Israel invite increased scrutiny and risk. The United States must continue to draw a firm line against foreign efforts to isolate our democratic ally Ireland’s proposed legislation to ban certain Israeli goods aligns with the antisemitic boycott movement and should not go unanswered. FDD Action applauds Congresswoman Tenney for leading the charge to ensure accountability and uphold consequences should Ireland move forward with this discriminatory proposal,” said Nick Stewart, Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) Action’s Senior Director of Government Relations.
“I am sickened and outraged by the proposed Irish legislation. Every instance of BDS should be opposed, and it is appropriate for the Secretary of the Treasury to invoke the existing US laws against participation by country in boycotts of Israel. The proposed law goes beyond simple BDS, though- It allows for the importation of products made in the same area by non-Jews. Ireland is overtly discriminating against Jewish residents of the targeted area while allowing normal commerce with non-Jews. This idea is Jew-hatred at its core. Even worse, the targeted area is the Jewish heart of the land of Israel- Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the Golan- where the stories we read in the Bible unfolded. I thank Rep. Tenney and the other signers of this letter for their leadership on drawing attention to this proposed law before it can be enacted,” said Morton Klein, National President of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA).
"The radically anti-Jewish, anti-Israeli bill that Ireland’s parliament is now considering is deeply alarming. It is a Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) effort targeting Israel. If Ireland passes this legislation, it may qualify to be listed and penalized under US law (Section 999 of the IRS Code), which is intended to discourage countries from deploying sanctions against friendly nations, including Israel. The United States must speak out against these unjustifiable measures to boycott Israel and marginalize one of our key allies," said Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council.
The Irish government, which has been strongly critical of Israeli military actions in Gaza, has denied any suggestion on Anti-Semitism or being anti-Israel in the proposed bill which is expected to come up for consideration in the fall.
The actual letter to Secretary Bessent from the Congress members states: "We write to express our serious concerns regarding recent proposal by the Government of Ireland to boycott
"Israel and urge the Department to examine the implications of the proposal under U.S. law.
Section 999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 – commonly referred to as the Ribicoff Amendment –
reflects the United States’ bipartisan commitment to opposing foreign boycotts against friendly nations,
particularly those aimed at Israel.
"Under this law, the Treasury Department is required to maintain a list of countries that condition commercial participation on compliance with an unsanctioned international boycott. Inclusion on this list imposes specific tax reporting requirements and potential penalties for U.S. individuals and businesses engaged in certain activities in those countries.
"Last month, Irish Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Simon Harris introduced legislation to prohibit the import of goods and services originating from territories under Israeli administration that they characterize as “occupied,” including Judea and Samaria, Gaza, parts of Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.
"This measure is part of a broader effort aligned with the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to economically isolate Israel. Such policies not only promote economic discrimination but also create legal uncertainty for U.S. companies operating in Ireland.
"We encourage the Treasury Department to assess whether Ireland’s proposal indicate that they require or may require participation in or encouragement of an international boycott within the meaning of Section 999(a)(3). If the criteria are met, Ireland should be added to the boycott list to ensure that U.S. companies are informed oftheir reporting obligations and protected from unintended legal exposure.
"The United States must send a clear signal that efforts to economically isolate Israel will carry consequences, and that U.S. law designed to combat such discrimination will be enforced.
We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response."
The letter is signed by Tenney, along with Reps. Nick LaLota, David Schweikert, Elise Stefanik, Andy Ogles, Joe Wilson, Pete Stauber, Chuck Edwards, Keith Self, Barry Moore, Mark Messmer, Harriet Hegeman, Andrew Garbarino, Earl “Buddy” Carter, Ben Cline and Michael Turner.
The Irish Times report noted that the letter makes no mention of rulings by the International Court of Justice on the illegality of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories which is relied upon by the Irish Government as a justification for the bill.
"Dublin has stressed it does not want to boycott Israeli goods, only those produced in the occupied territories. It is not clear, however, that the distinction matters hugely to the US system, the report stated.
