EU ministers meet in Ireland to discuss West Bank and ICC protection

EU foreign affairs and defence ministers are meeting in Wicklow, Ireland, to discuss several high-priority security and geopolitical issues. Chaired by Irish Minister Helen McEntee, these informal discussions include seeking consensus on measures to pressure Israel regarding West Bank settlements following recent construction approvals that rights groups claim threaten Palestinian statehood.

Additionally, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has called on Minister McEntee to use Ireland’s EU Presidency to lead efforts in protecting the International Criminal Court (ICC). This comes in response to the US Department of State’s stated aim to “dismantle” the institution through legal and political campaigns. The ICCL is urging the EU to activate its Blocking Statute to protect individuals and organizations from US sanctions targeting the Court.