Editorial: ​SF and Alliance unite again against Israel

The decision by Stormont ministers to back a Sinn Fein policy on boycotting UK-Israel trade talks – and banning investment in defence companies linked to the country – is alarming.​

The DUP brought the controversial decision by Caoimhe Archibald before the Executive – accusing the economy minister of acting outside her remit.

The party wanted the policy scrapped, but were overruled by Sinn Fein and Alliance, who – once again – were singing from the same hymn sheet.

The Sinn Fein minister claims her measures would “eliminate any risk of public funds being used to support the manufacture of arms or components that are used for genocide”.

But unionist politicians have questioned the impact on Northern Ireland’s important defence sector – as well as the legality of a local minister inserting herself into reserved matters such as international trade deals and defence.

The government has been clear that trade policy is a matter for London – and that trade negotiations are its responsibility. However, the Northern Ireland Office has declined to criticise Ms Archibald – saying only that it is “aware” of her position.

The courts will likely decide whether her policies are legal – following legal action by pro-union think tank Unionist Voice Policy Studies, headed by Jamie Bryson.

However, it is disappointing that the Alliance Party has decided to back Sinn Fein on this issue. On one hand, it comes as no surprise, given both parties’ obsession with condemning Israel for defending itself from Islamist extremists on its borders in Gaza and Lebanon.

However, Alliance should at least have some regard to the devolution settlement which, thankfully, has kept issues such as international trade negotiations out of the hands of Stormont’s virtue-signalling politicians.