Overview

• First Minister Michelle O'Neill said Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald was absolutely correct to set policy distancing her department from UK–Israel trade talks.
• Unionist Voice Policy Studies sent a pre-action protocol letter alleging the decision is unlawful because international trade is reserved to Westminster and should have gone to the Executive.
• The DUP has moved to refer the issue to the Stormont Executive, and TUV leader Jim Allister has sought an urgent House of Commons debate.
• Archibald has directed that her department will not engage in British Government trade talks with Israel and has told Invest NI not to fund companies supplying arms to Israel.
• The department is developing an Ethical Investment Framework based on UN human rights principles, and Archibald cited Invest NI's assurance that it does not support projects supplying arms or components to Israel.