Mid Ulster councillors express opposing positions on attendance at St Patrick's Day celebrations at the White House

A motion was brought before a recent meeting of Mid Ulster District Council calling for Irish politicians to boycott the White House on St. Patrick’s Day due to the “culpability” in the genocide happening in Palestine has caused a show of strong opposing views on the matter. 

The motion was tabled by Independent Republican councillor Dan Kerr. 

Mr Kerr spoke on the importance of St Patrick's Day throughout the world but expressed how going to visit the White House isn’t something he can agree with. 

“While it is welcome some people have come out and declared they won’t be attending if invited this is simply a year too late. Joe Biden was as much a cheerleader for Zionists and Terrorism as Donald Trump. No Irish politicians should be meeting Donald Trump. His recent comments have turned Gaza into a modern day Middle Eastern Rivera. This is a position many people have theorised. This is a land grab not only by Israel but also by its American allies. Expansion Imperial objectives are what Israel and America want to achieve,” he said. 

“I am calling on everyone to support this motion and to show solidarity to the people of Palestine and to boycott the celebrations of the White House. No Irish politician from whatever political party should be meeting Trump while his country is involved in modern day genocide.” 

SDLP councillor for Moyola Denise Johnston expressed agreement with the motion.

She said: “This is now the second year in a row that this motion has come before this council. Last year it was defeated by the three executive parties. An unfortunate decision. While I appreciate that unionism appears to see the actions of Israel through a different prism, I will be honest I can’t quite get my head around that. I was particularly surprised that Sinn Fein chose not to support last year's motion. Let’s not forget last year a current MP stood in this chamber and said that refusing to attend would be an insult to America. That it wasn’t about who occupied the office and off they went and took their pictures with Biden, who after the festivities went right back to arming and enabling genocide. 

“In the time since we last debated this motion an additional 16,000 people have been killed. More than half of them are women, children and the elderly. That brings the total death toll in Gaza to 46,600. We have not just witnessed a war, we have witnessed genocide unfolding in real time on our television screens. We have watched an entire nation be torn apart, sacrificed to the political ambitions of a right wing Israeli government not interested in peaceful coexistence with their Palestinian neighbours. While I recognise and condemn the horrific atrocity carried out by Hammas, it was wrong and it did lead to an Israeli genocidal attack. The response of Israel was access to the fullest extremes. There is no justification for the killing of civilians ever. We in the SDLP have always been consistent in our opposition to the murder of innocent people trying to live their lives. 

“While that government dropped bombs on refugee camps, Western leaders toasted to democracy with the very people enabling these atrocities. Last year the SDLP stood in this chamber and made it clear that we cannot pretend this isn’t happening. We cannot drink Guinness in the White House and celebrate being Irish while at the same time ignoring the war crimes being committed against the people of Gaza. 

“Nothing has changed this year except the face in the oval office. Instead of Genocide Joe we now have a narcissist who lacks compassion and decency. Trump has made no secret of his desire to see the permanent removal of Palestinians from Gaza. He and his property developer friends may not see a humanitarian catastrophe but an opportunity to make money by creating the ultimate seaside resort for the Middle East. The Israeli government must hardly believe their luck. A man even more obsessed with taking lives and land he doesn’t own than they are. I was immensely proud that the SDLP took the principal stance of boycotting the White House last year and I am equally proud that Claire Hanna was the first to confirm this year that like last year that boycott will continue. I am glad to see that Sinn Fein has now U-turned on their previous position following Claire Hanna’s lead and confirmed they too will be boycotting this year avoiding this year’s glass clinking, selfie taking opportunity. This is the right decision and we should be united in this stance.” 

Opposition on the motion came from DUP Councillor for Magherafelt Paul McLean.

“As Unionists we will not be supporting this motion. As a party we have made it crystal clear that the decision to boycott the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Washington are short sighted, counterproductive, and in part of the SDLP, grandstanding. Beggars belief, when did Sinn Fein and the Republican movement become humanitarian? What about all the inhumane atrocities in Northern Ireland that they supported and still support. Is there a difference between the people of Gaza or the Unionist population or the security forces of Northern Ireland. We within the DUP believe that the St Patrick’s Day celebration and events in Washington are an important opportunity to strengthen Northern Ireland’s economy and political ties with the US. 

“Regardless of political differences, engagement with our key international partners is crucial. Especially at a time where we need continued investment and support. The DUP will be in Washington making the case for Northern Ireland PLC, promoting investment, strengthening our culture, economic ties and connections with the US.” 

The motion fell in the Mid Ulster Council chamber with 19 abstentions, 10 against and 8 for.