A planned visit by DUP minister Paul Givan to a Co Down school this week was cancelled following pressure by parents.
The Irish News understands that the board of governors at St Francis’ Primary School, Dromaroad decided to call off Wednesday’s ministerial visit at the last minute after a number of pupils’ parents objected.
The objections are believed to have related to Mr Givan’s recent trip to Israel.
Pro-Palestinian protesters picketed the gates of the rural school ahead of Mr Givan’s planned arrival.
However, they were informed by a member of the school’s board of governors that the visit had been cancelled.
The Department of Education was asked on Wednesday to confirm the visit’s cancellation but has yet to respond. When contacted, the school said “no comment”.
Last month, the DUP minister joined party colleagues and other unionist politicians on a six-day “fact-finding mission” which was paid for by the Israeli government.
A pro-Palestinian protest outside St Francis’ Primary School Dromaroad ahead of a planned visit by the education minister
Since the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East following the October 2023 attacks by Hamas, Israel has faced accusations of genocide and war crimes.
Mr Givan has faced calls to resign over his use of departmental resources to promote a visit to a school in illegally-occupied East Jerusalem.
On Monday in the assembly a majority of MLAs backed a motion of no confidence in the minister, however, its failure to gain cross-community support meant the motion fell.
On Wednesday, Department of Education permanent secretary Ronnie Armour revealed that the minister had received a fresh invitation to visit Israel in the new year.
In a statement posted on social media following the minister’s cancelled school visit, the coalition of pro-Palestinian groups, which included Mourne for Palestine, Mothers Against Genocide, Friends of Palestine Downpatrick and Castlewellan for Palestine, accused the minister of “conducting a PR campaign with Israeli politicians”.
“Travelling to illegally occupied Palestine during a genocide is evidence of gross misconduct and abuse of powers,” the statement said.
“Engaging with war criminals ensures complicity particularly due to his position of power in the north of Ireland as minister for education.”