Education Minister Paul Givan sparked a political furore when he visited a school in the Holy Land. The problem? We aren’t talking about a school in South Belfast, but a school in East Jerusalem.
According to a report from Abdullah Sabri in the Belfast Telegraph
“(Givan) was joined by a delegation of unionist politicians from the DUP, TUV and UUP who arrived in the country last Friday. The trip, described as a “fact-finding” mission, was organised by the Israeli embassy. However, Mr Givan has been criticised after his department published pictures of the Lagan Valley MLA visiting Ofek School, near the West Bank, on its official social media feed.”
For context, the Ofek School describes itself on its website as “…provid(ing) innovative classes to approximately 350 elementary school-age children each year from all over the city who attend the program instead of their regular schools one day per week”.
The controversy arises because East Jerusalem is considered occupied territory illegaly annexed by Israel under international law. Palestinians hope that the city will one day be the capital of an independent Palestinian state, though Israel vociferously insists that the city will remain its ‘eternal and indivisible’ capital. A Western politician visiting East Jerusalem as a guest of the Israeli state in whatever context is therefore seen as implicitly accepting Israel’s claim over the entire city. Needless to say, given the emotions the Middle Eastern conflict generates globally (particularly in relation to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where the ceasefire is looking increasingly shaky with over a hundred people being killed there in the past twenty-four hours) a backlash was inevitable.
The Telegraph article quotes Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, the chair of the education committee, as saying, “Paul Givan’s recent actions and statements in relation to Israel and Palestine have been incredibly concerning, not least his decision to undertake a visit to Israel, which it appears has been funded by the Israeli government.“There should be no blurring of the minister’s private political activity and the work of the department. It is vital that clarity on the role of the department in this trip is provided urgently.”
The BBC reports that the Northern Ireland Teachers Council has taken an equally dim view stating that they”…condemned Givan’s decision to accept the invitation from the Israeli Embassy “at a time when senior officials of that state stand accused of war crimes”. It demanded he explain his actions and it further criticised Stormont’s Department of Education for “promoting” his visit on the department’s online platforms….It added that his decision to document the trip on his department’s platforms was an “overtly political and divisive act that diminished confidence in his judgement”. The NITC argued that Northern Ireland’s official governmental online platforms “should be politically neutral” and it called for the material to be removed.”
The Telegraph also reports that Colum Eastwood, SDLP MP for Foyle, has tabled questions at Westminster asking what support or advice Givan was provided.
“The UK government’s current official position is that any Israeli settlements built beyond the Green Line are in breach of international law and a major obstacle to peace in the region. Mr Eastwood said: “The British Foreign Office provides support to ministers travelling abroad on official business, which is what Paul Givan has made this cynical propaganda mission by engaging the resources of his department. “I have asked the Foreign Secretary to outline the exact support offered to Mr Givan as well as seeking an answer to questions about ministerial visits which cross the Green Line in light of the government’s decision to recognise the state of Palestine. “Ministers who use their position to become propaganda pieces of the state of Israel should be held to account.”
The DUP has responded to the criticism by saying that “DUP representatives are part of a wider group, including from other parts of the UK visiting Israel at the invitation of the Israeli embassy. The visit comes at no cost to UK taxpayers. “It speaks to the levels some are stooping to manufacture criticisms that they appear to have a problem with people visiting a school which educates Jewish, Arab and Christian children together.”
On their Facebook page the party has argued that the criticism is meant to distract from them highlighting the suffering Israelis have faced, highlighting their visit to the kibbutz Nir Oz where 117 people were either murdered or kidnapped on October 7th. Only a few individuals have returned to the kibbutz since.
The controversy seems set to rumble on for some time, with People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll stating that he will be tabling a motion of no confidence in the Minister.
Our mod team uses this account to share news and posts. Content here should not be interpreted as Slugger’s editorial position. Slugger welcomes all views and does not take editorial positions on issues.
Discover more from Slugger O’Toole
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.