Northern Ireland snubs White House event over Trump’s Gaza takeover plan

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill has announced she will not attend St Patrick’s Day events at the White House, citing US President Donald Trump’s stance on Gaza as the reason for her boycott.

Political figures from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland traditionally visit the US for the annual 17 March celebrations. However, O’Neill stated, “We are all heartbroken watching the suffering of the Palestinian people, and the US president’s remarks endorsing their mass expulsion from Gaza cannot be ignored.”

She made the statement at a press conference in Dublin alongside Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

McDonald also condemned Washington’s position, declaring, “When the US administration is wrong - disastrously so in the case of Palestine - we have a duty to act.”

Meanwhile, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin will attend the White House event, saying he plans to discuss “a broad range of issues” with Trump.