SF won't travel to White House over Trump's policies
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill have confirmed they will not travel to the White House next month to meet US President Donald Trump next month.
The leaders said that the decision not to attend the White House events this year is "principled stance in response to the call for the mass expulsion of the Palestinian people from Gaza".
Senior Sinn Féin figures normally travel to the US every year around the same time that the Taoiseach traditionally gets invited to meet the US President for St Patrick's Day events.
Speaking to reporters during a press conference at the Alex Hotel in Dublin, Ms McDonald said the move was specifically in protest at Mr Trump's comments and policy on Gaza.
"I followed with growing concern what's happening on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank, and like many other Irish people, have listened in horror to calls from the President of the United States for the mass expulsion of the Palestinian people from their homes and the permanent seizure of Palestinian lands," she said.
Ms McDonald added: "There is also an onus on us to speak honestly and to act when we believe a US administration is wrong, catastrophically so in the case of Palestine.
The Dublin Central TD said that she has "thought deeply about this issue in recent days and listened to many voices inside and outside" of the party.
"I've made the decision not to attend the event in the White House this year as a principled stance against the call for the mass expulsion of the Palestinian people from Gaza, something which I believe demands serious dissent and objection."
The Sinn Féin move follows a similar announcement by the SDLP in recent weeks, and echoes calls from a number of other Dáil opposition parties.
It will also place significant pressure on Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who remains set to travel to meet the US president at the White House during the St Patrick's Day festivities, but has yet to be formally invited.
However, Ms McDonald said it is still important for Mr Martin to attend as he speaks for the people of Ireland.
She said Mr Martin must use his expected bilateral with US President Donald Trump for St Patrick's Day to "reflect the view of the Irish people" in support of Palestine.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the decision was not taken lightly.
"The decision not to travel to the White House has not been taken lightly, but it is taken conscious of the responsibility each of us as individuals have to call out injustice," Ms O’Neill said.
She added: "I have travelled to the US on many occasions to seek support for peace and for our economy in the face of Brexit.
"I have met with senior figures on Capitol Hill. I have met with successive US Presidents.
I have always spoken honestly and passionately and I will always do so.
"And I will continue to engage with the US – politically and economically. But people look to us as leaders."
by threebodysolution
27 comments
Lets not try to paint this as a moral stand point. The only reason they aren’t going is because the current US administration wants nothing to do with them.
Weren’t invited were they
We look at them for what they truly are. Self-righteous hypocrites
Good job lads
Can Little Pengelly still go on her own or have they not been invited either?
Queue the DUP bootlickers
IRA Terrorist wont fly to USA? Oh no! Absolutley devestating for the USA, what will they do now? 😂😂😂
i think its fair to boycott it over Trumps Gaza comments but would have liked them to throw in the last week and the USA Govs dealing with Ukraine.
so much unacceptable from having JD Vance stand up and scold a European summit – Trump having peace talks with Russia only alienating Europe – his demand for 50% of Ukraines minerals … him throwing a hissy fit and calling Zelensky a dictator and blaming Ukraine for the war starting – after that Waltz (House national security adviser) says Zelenskys criticism is unacceptable and he must sign the mineral “deal” …
international diplomacy should normaly try to be raised over issues unrelated but the complete assault on every level from USA since Trump has got in means USA needs a complete cold shoulder treatment – all parties should boycott any USA St.Patrick invites
Only because the SDLP aren’t going. They’ll be gutted really at missing out on their annual jolly to Washington.
Nice to see some politicians with integrity
Smart move, plays to the base vote
I agree with the move, but they were happy to go over and have the craic with Genocide Joe
I’m glad that SF are practising what they preach on this, and it’s the right decision. Fair play to them.
Pretty telling how they’re doing this over Gaza without a single mention of Ukraine.
Poor provos got their feelings hurt by big bad Donald 🤭.
Should have waited til they were invited first, more impactful and doesn’t give the prick time to think of some bullshit reason to come at them prior. This was a big mistake.
Good, we shouldn’t have any association with fascist bastards like him.
Look, I’m not saying that people should be indulging any of Trump’s craziness.
All I’m saying is that if you’d time travelled back to 1926 and Hitler invited you to dinner, you should accept the invitation. You won’t get a better opportunity to make things right.
As a prod I applaud Sinn Féin’s decision not to attend over Trump’s plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza and also his plan to extort Ukraine while Ukraine is being destroyed by Russia.
Trump, Musk and Vance have also constantly attacked the UK and the EU along with Trump’s desire to build a relationship with Putin. Hopefully the Unionist politicians will make the decision not to go to the White House.
Good. Now it’s up to DUP to represent NI in USA.
Sinn Fein cut their nose to spite their face.
SF had to after the SDLP’s announcement. They could have boycotted in the past but didn’t.
Fucking everyone needs to start isolating that noncey rapey orange cunt.
War is on the verge of breaking out in Europe, the continent on which we live
‘aye but palestine’
Well done, putting their money where their mouth is
Have they been invited yet, or is this them setting the narrative?
I’m sure they went when US stood back and let Russia take Crimea.
means absolutely nothing when they indulged the guy that funded them and ignored calls for a ceasefire, then they ignore the one that got a ceasefire in his first week in office. adams may have been a lying prick, but he had more sense than the two fucking bints running the party now.
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