Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has criticized First Minister Michelle O’Neill’s decision to boycott the White House St. Patrick’s Day event as “opportunistic and somewhat cynical.” O’Neill, a member of Sinn Féin, opted not to attend the event in Washington D.C. in protest of President Donald Trump’s position on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Martin expressed his disagreement with O’Neill’s choice, deeming it to be a misstep.
During his visit to Washington this week for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Martin engaged in various events alongside other political figures from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, such as Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. In a meeting with President Trump, Martin presented him with a bowl of shamrocks, a customary gesture during the festivities. The discussions between the two leaders touched upon issues including trade imbalances and the relationship between the US and the EU.
In response to Sinn Féin’s decision, Martin emphasized that the boycott was not beneficial for the people of Northern Ireland or the island of Ireland as a whole. He labeled the move by Sinn Féin as ill-advised, opportunistic, and somewhat cynical. A spokesperson for Sinn Féin defended O’Neill’s choice, citing the party’s commitment to standing up against injustice, particularly in light of the suffering experienced by the Palestinian people.
Notably, other political parties, such as the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and the Alliance Party, also abstained from attending events in Washington due to their objections to the Trump administration’s stance on the conflict in Gaza. The differing responses to the White House event highlight the diversity of opinions within the political landscape regarding international relations and humanitarian matters
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