The Daily Star Ireland
Sinn Féin leaders Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill have announced they will not attend the upcoming White House events in March, where they were scheduled to meet President Donald Trump. This decision serves as a protest against President Trump’s recent proposal advocating for the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza and the U.S. assuming control over the territory.
Traditionally, senior Sinn Féin representatives visit the U.S. during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, coinciding with the Taoiseach’s annual meeting with the U.S. President. However, in a press conference at Dublin’s Alex Hotel, Ms. McDonald expressed deep concern over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. She criticized President Trump’s call for the forced displacement of Palestinians and the permanent appropriation of their land, describing it as a catastrophic error.
Ms. McDonald emphasized the responsibility to speak out against injustices, stating that attending the White House event would contradict their principles. She urged Taoiseach Micheál Martin to use his anticipated meeting with President Trump during the St. Patrick’s Day festivities to convey Ireland’s support for Palestine and reflect the sentiments of the Irish populace.
Michelle O’Neill, Northern Ireland’s First Minister, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the gravity of the decision to forgo the White House visit. She underscored the importance of addressing injustices and reaffirmed Sinn Féin’s commitment to engaging with the U.S. on political and economic fronts. Ms. O’Neill also noted the expectation for leaders to act in accordance with their constituents’ values and beliefs.
This move aligns Sinn Féin with the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), which recently announced a similar boycott of the White House events in response to the U.S. administration’s stance on Gaza. These decisions intensify the pressure on Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who is still expected to attend the White House meeting but has yet to receive a formal invitation.
The controversy stems from President Trump’s proposal for the U.S. to take control of Gaza, displace its Palestinian residents, and redevelop the area. This plan has been met with widespread condemnation from Palestinians, Arab nations, and human rights experts, who label it as “ethnic cleansing.” Despite the backlash, President Trump has reiterated his intentions, suggesting that neighboring countries should accommodate the displaced Palestinian population.
