Education Minister criticised by Sinn Féin’s Kathleen McGurk over decision to travel to Israel

Sinn Féin Councillor Kathleen McGurk has criticised the DUP Education Minister Paul Givan's decision to visit Israel at a time when that state is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.

Councillor McGurk said: "The Education Minister has chosen to visit Israel while schools here continue to lurch from crisis to crisis.

“Israel has bombed nearly every school in Gaza out of existence and murdered tens of thousands of children.

“This visit raises serious questions about the minister’s priorities and judgement at a time when our own education system is under immense pressure. Parents, teachers and pupils will rightly be asking questions.”

Ms McGurk added that Sinn Féin has written to the minister demanding full transparency around the nature and funding of the trip.

“There must be full clarity on whether this visit was undertaken in an official ministerial capacity and what departmental resources, if any, were used. The public deserve transparency and accountability on this matter, and Sinn Féin is seeking answers.”