More than 2,500 Catholic clergy call on Dublin to prevent Israel from raising funds through the EU, citing international law and the risk of complicity in genocide
DUBLIN, 31 July 2026 — Priests Against Genocide IRL-UK, part of an international network spanning 62 countries and comprising more than 2,500 Catholic priests, bishops and cardinals, today issued an open letter to the Irish Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), demanding urgent action to stop the CBI from transferring approval of the 2026 Israel Bonds prospectus to any EU member state (see attached letter).
Ireland serves as the “home member state” for Israel Bonds within the European Union, meaning no such bonds can be sold in the EU without annual approval — or transfer of approval — by the Central Bank of Ireland. The group argues that facilitating these sales is both legally and morally indefensible, citing obligations under the Genocide Convention and the International Court of Justice’s July 2024 advisory opinion, which found Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory unlawful.
The letter notes that Amnesty International, in a 21 July 2026 statement, called on Irish authorities to reject a new prospectus for Israel Bonds and to decline transferring approval elsewhere in the EU. It also recalls that the Taoiseach has previously acknowledged the bonds “further assist the financing of Israel’s violations of human rights and contravening international law.”
The priests further invoke the Vatican‘s ethical investment guidelines, Mensuram Bonum, which explicitly exclude investment in weapons and defense industries, arguing that Israel Bonds fall squarely within that prohibited category.
The appeal follows the group’s 20 July 2026 call for Ireland to use its EU Presidency to press for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
“We plead and demand that you now take immediate action to end Ireland’s pivotal enabling role in Israel’s fundraising for genocide and other grave crimes,” the letter states.
Contact:
Fr Pat Colgan, St Columban’s, Navan, Co Meath (prcolgan@gmail.com)
Fr Gabriel Dolan SPS, Clones Parish, Co Monaghan (gdolan54@gmail.com)
Fr Stephen Cummins OP, St Mary’s Priory, Tallaght (stephen.cummins@dominicans.ie)
Fr Chris McGuinness SPS, Derry (spschrismcguinness@gmail.com)
Fr Brendan McManus SJ, Manresa Retreat House, Dublin (bmcmanus@jesuitlink.ie)
Fr Joseph McVeigh, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh (mcveigh620@btinternet.com)
Fr Eamonn O’Connor, Strokestown, Co Roscommon (eto.oconnor13@gmail.com)
