BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 30. Qatar has welcomed Ireland's decision to enact legislation banning the import of goods produced in Israeli settlements located in the occupied Palestinian territories, describing the move as "an important step."
In a statement, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the legislation supports international efforts aimed at deterring the expansion of Israeli settlements.
The ministry expressed hope that "more countries will take similar steps," while stressing that the international community should fulfil its legal and moral responsibilities to compel Israel to halt its settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The statement came after Ireland formally signed the long-awaited legislation into law. The bill had previously been approved by the Irish parliament on July 7.
Some critics, however, argue that the legislation does not go far enough because it does not prohibit services originating from Israeli settlements.
Israel has consistently opposed measures targeting settlement-related trade and maintains that issues concerning the settlements should be resolved through direct negotiations.
