Ireland could soon put pressure on Israel over its actions in the Palestinian territories by threatening a boycott of Israeli goods.
The warning has been issued by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, who was at a meeting in Brussels this week where European foreign ministers discussed the ongoing problem of expanding Israeli settlements.
The EU ministers have issued a statement warning that the problem threatens the "two-state solution" - the long-term goal for those seeking a solution to the Middle-East conflict.
Gilmore has also hinted that Israeli settlers involved in violence in the disputed patches of land could even face a ban from visiting any EU countries.
"It's a very strong statement, particularly in relation to the illegal settlements on the West Bank, which are making the achievement of a two-state solution in the Middle East impossible," Mr. Gilmore said of the ministers' release, adding that the EU team will examine the response from Israel in the autumn.
"I think at that stage if there isn't a change in Israeli policy in relation to settlements
in particular, I think we may have to look at some additional measures," he continued.
"We may have to look at the question of banning products from settlement areas into the EU. We have always resisted the idea of boycotts in relation to Israel, but I think a distinction has to be drawn here between Israel and the settlements."
Ireland is set to take over the rotating presidency of the EU next year, and the Tánaiste said he expected the Republic to use this position to add further pressure to Israel over the issue.
However, the foreign ministry in Jerusalem has denounced the warnings as "biased", and is claiming they were a "one-sided depiction" of what was happening in settlements.
"Such a public presentation does not contribute to advance the process," an Israeli spokesman added.
