Report by Jayne McCormack and Jessica Lawrence for BBC News NI:
The First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, has announced that she will not be attending the St. Patrick’s Day events in Washington next month. This decision has drawn criticism from DUP leader Gavin Robinson who described it as “short-sighted and counterproductive”. O’Neill’s absence breaks with the tradition where the first and deputy first ministers typically make the trip together.
In response to President Donald Trump’s comments on Gaza, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald expressed growing concern and horror. She highlighted the calls for the mass expulsion of the Palestinian people from their homes and the permanent seizure of Palestinian lands. McDonald emphasized the need for a negotiation settlement that ensures peace for both Palestinians and Israelis through a two-state solution, which she believes should be supported by the US.
McDonald’s decision not to attend events at the White House this year in protest of the situation in Gaza has caused a stir. She urged Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin to reflect the views of the Irish people in support of International law. DUP leader Gavin Robinson disagreed with Sinn Féin’s choice, emphasizing the importance of using the opportunity in Washington to strengthen Northern Ireland’s economic and political ties with the United States.
The decision to skip the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Washington has sparked a debate among Irish politicians. While some, like SDLP leader Claire Hanna, have declined the invite over concerns about Trump’s comments on Gaza, others, like Gavin Robinson, see it as an opportunity to engage with partners and promote Northern Ireland. The differing stances reflect a broader political discourse around whether to align with the US administration’s policies or speak out against them
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