Israel may impose special tariffs on imports from Ireland if it moves ahead with legislation boycotting products from Israeli settlements, Israel Hayom has learned.
Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen has instructed officials in his ministry to come up with proposals on various economic and diplomatic steps Israel can take to punish Ireland.
The Irish bill passed the Irish parliament's upper house several months ago and on Thursday lawmakers in the lower house voted to overwhelmingly to advance the bill. It still has several hurdles to clear before it can be enacted.
Under the provisions of the bill, people who trade with Jewish settlements beyond the Green Line could be fined up to €250,000 ($283,000) and be sent to prison for up to five years.
Apart from tariffs, the ministry is considering the abrogation of economic agreements and halting joint projects.
"The Irish boycott efforts are pathetic, disgraceful and smack of hypocrisy," Cohen told Israel Hayom. "We will do everything we can to prevent the bill's passage and if the anti-Semitic voices in the parliament will prevail, we will retaliate," Cohen said.
Cohen's statement comes a day after Irish Ambassador to Israel Alison Kelly was summoned to the Israeli Foreign Ministry for a reprimand. According to an Israeli official, Kelly was told that enacting the bill would have "major consequences on Ireland's standing in the region and its relations with Israel."
