PA MediaSDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said he “cannot in good conscience” attend St Patrick’s Day celebrations at the White House because of the US response to the Israel-Gaza war.
Instead, the SDLP will send a delegation to Washington “to advocate for an end to the violence”.
Hamas killed around 1,300 people in attacks on Israel on October 7.
More than 26,000 Palestinians have died in Israeli retaliatory attacks, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.
More … than 240 Israelis were taken hostage on October 7; around 130 people are still missing and believed to be detained in Gaza.
“Abominably deficient”
Mr Eastwood described the international community’s response to the conflict as “abhorrently deficient”.
The response from the US administration was “particularly atrocious”, he added.
“The scenes of destruction and annihilation in Gaza represent, in my opinion, a clear act of genocide,” he said in a statement.
Last week, judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel must take all measures to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.
The ICJ issued a provisional decision in South Africa’s genocide case against Israelbut the highest UN court did not order an immediate ceasefire.
Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee on Sunday expressed support for Ireland joining South Africa’s challenge, but acknowledged that the Irish government needed time to study all aspects of the case.
“Personally I would like us to do it,” she told RTÉ Radio One.
“I’m very aware that we have to do this on the correct legal basis. I mean, what you’re essentially doing is accusing another country of genocide. You have to know the facts.”
Following the interim ruling, Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Micheál Martin said the government would “seriously consider” intervention in South Africa’s case and asked his legal team to produce a report.
He added that there would be a dialogue with “like-minded countries” on the matter.
“Duty to be honest”
Mr Eastwood said Ireland and the United States have “forged one of the warmest and most enduring international relationships”, and it is for this reason that he believes there is a “duty to be honest with our friends…especially when we think they’re fake.”
He added: “I could not rub shoulders, drink Guinness and go crazy while the horrific effects of the brutal war in Gaza continue. That would be the very opposite of solidarity with a people on the brink of destruction .”
Politicians of the island of Ireland traditionally visits Washington DC for March 17 celebrationswith the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) received by the American president at the White House.
“No easy answer”
Mr Eastwood said each political leader “will have to make their own decision on how they approach St Patrick’s Day”.
“I’m not criticizing anyone else,” he added.
“There are no easy answers to any of this.”
YURI GRIPAS/PISCINE/EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockSome Irish politicians have been urged by pro-Palestinian activists to boycott this year’s event in Washington because of US support for Israel.
Last week, Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill said her party would not boycott the trip. Instead, they intend to use it to advocate for an end to the violence.
The party had had previously requested expulsion from the Israeli ambassador to Ireland, but the motion was rejected by the Irish parliament.
“Pursuit of Peace”
“We are going to the United States in search of peace, continuing to work with the Irish diaspora and American representatives to promote and build support for the peace process in the country and Irish reunification,” Ms O said. ‘Neill to the PA news agency.
“We will also advocate for an end to the Israeli genocidal war and occupation in Gaza and the West Bank, for the establishment of a peace process in Palestine and for the self-determination of the Palestinian people.
“In doing so, we will fulfill our promise to the Palestinian ambassador and the Palestinian people.”
Allow Twitter content?
Mr Martin also said it would be inappropriate to boycott the celebrations.
“The idea that Ireland would withdraw from any commitment to me makes no sense,” he said.
The Irish government will persist in its dialogue and engagement with other nations, he added, with the aim of increasing international pressure and ending violence in the Middle East.
At the same time, the Irish government said there were “no plans” to suspend funding from the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
The move comes after the agency announced the dismissal of several members of its staff over allegations that they were involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks.
In a message on X, formerly Twitter, Mr. Martin said he had “full confidence” in the agency’s general commission and its internal investigation.
The Republic of Ireland has provided the agency with €18m (£15.4m) in 2023 and will “continue our support into 2024”, Mr Martin added.
Allow Twitter content?
The British government, which suspended funding on Saturday, said he was “appalled” by Israel’s allegations.
The United States, Australia, Italy, Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France and Germany also suspended additional funding to the agency.
Mr Martin told RTÉ News he believed these countries had acted “prematurely” and an entire population should not be punished because of the alleged actions of some workers.
Established in 1949, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, is the largest United Nations agency operating in Gaza.
It provides health care, education and other humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. It employs around 13,000 people in Gaza.
