Irish leaders will skip the celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day this year in the United States to protest Donald Trump Calling to move Palestinians from Gaza.
The celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day are an opportunity for Ireland leaders to enhance diplomatic relations abroad, especially in the United States, where the annual trip to Washington, DC, marks historical and cultural connections between countries. This year, the Irish Prime Minister, known as Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, will represent Ireland without the leader of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald and the first minister of northern Ireland Michelle O’neill.
“I followed with a growing concern that happens on the field in Gaza and the west coast, as many others IrishThey listened to the horror of the invitation of the President of the United States because of the mass expulsion of the Palestinian people from their homes and the permanent seizure of Palestinian countries, “said McDonald.
“Such an approach is a fundamental violation of international law, deeply destabilized in the Middle East and a dangerous departure from UN position of peace and security Both Palestinians and for the Israelis and the right of Palestinians to self -determination. “
The leader of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald, to the right and the first minister of northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill are boycotting St. Patrick’s Day in the White House. (Getty/Trump-van transition team)
Although she confessed to the important opportunity to strengthen the US -Ai relationship, McDonald said she decided not to attend the White House events “as a principled view of the call for the mass expulsion of the Palestinian people of Gaza.”
O’Neill repeated McDonald’s comments, promising to hold diplomatic relations with the US as he took the attitude against Trump’s comments.
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“I made the decision as the first minister not to attend events on White house This year, “O’Neill announced in the post.” We have all witnessed the heart and destruction and suffering in Palestine, and the recent comments from the US president about the mass expulsion of the Palestinian people from Gaza are something they cannot neglect. “
O’neill said she was “firmly to the side of humanity”, protesting on Trump and supporting the Palestinian people.
“I will continue to cooperate with the US, both politically and economically, to a better life of people. But people rightly look at leaders to counteract injustice. And in the future, when children and our grandchildren ask us what we have done when Palestinian are us People endured unimaginable suffering, I will say that I stood firmly on the side of humanity. “
McDonald said she supported Martin’s permanent visit to St. Patrick in Washington, DC, as the Prime Minister will have more approaches to the expected audience with Trump. She invited Martin to use “the opportunity to reflect the view of the Irish people in relation to Palestine, in support of international law, and to dismiss the threats of mass expulsion of Palestinian people and the attacks of their country.”
When asked about a boycott, Martin told reporters: “Sinn Féin does what he always does – he deals with politics. I am responsible for the country.”
The Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland (DUP) called a boycott “reckless” and “short -sighted”.
“The United States is a key economic partner for northern Ireland,” said DUP leader RT. Hon. Gavin Robinson. “Turning from that relationship, especially at a time when we need continuous international support, is a reckless move that does nothing to improve the interests of people and companies in Northern Ireland.”
Trump said during a joint press conference with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Last month that he would “take over the gaza belt” now. Trump also suggested the relocation of Palestinians to renew Gaza as a “Riviera of the Middle East”. Trump comments have encouraged an international reaction.
President Donald Trump, accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, during a meeting at the White House oval office on February 4, 2025. In Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Ireland is a longtime supporter of Palestinian independence, because many Irish lines of parallels with the British occupation of Ireland. Ireland advocated for full Palestinian statehood and the decision of two countries during the Gaza war. Irish citizens have loudly opposed the war in Gaza and consistently protested in support of the Palestinians since the beginning of the war.
Sinn Féin is the Irish Republican Party with historical relations with the Irish Republican army, which has increased in Ireland in Ireland in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin believes in Irish reunification, returning to the British counties of Northern Ireland to Ireland.
“Ireland and the United States have deep and strong bilateral relations, built on a rich basis of bound bonds and close economic, diplomatic and political relationships, including long -standing American support for peace on this island,” said Fox News Digital Irish Government in a statement.
“Ireland and now have a significant and mutual useful economic relationship – worth more than more than trillion. Ireland is now the 6th largest source of direct foreign investments in the US, with the investment of Irish companies 2023. Worth $ 351 billion.”
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, to the right, represents President Joe Biden with a bowl of Shamrocks during the reception of St. Patrick’s Day in the eastern room of the White House, on Sunday, March 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Just as the US played a critical role in negotiations on the interruption of fire between Israel and Hamas, the US was a key negotiator at the Great Friday agreement between the United Kingdom and Ireland in 1998, which ended with decades of conflict and brought peace to the region.
“St. Patrick’s Day for many years has served as a unique opportunity to celebrate our cultures and business connections globally, especially many strong connections between Ireland and the USA. This is also a very important annual opportunity to secure political relationships and obligations are supported by this Our peace process.
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Now is the home of Irish diaspora. The US and Ireland held close diplomatic relations, and the traditional events of St. Patrick in the White House became an opportunity to celebrate and develop the relationship. Former President Joe Biden They visited Ireland and northern Ireland as president in 2023 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Greater Friday agreement.
