An interesting political coalition is assembling in Ireland, the USA, and elsewhere calling on public representatives to boycott USA President Joe Biden’s annual White House Patrick’s Day celebration in 2024. As Bernadette McAliskey says :

A Pro-Palestine activist, Art Ó Laoghaire, has sent the following message to several Irish public representatives :

Do you believe that Israel is justified in its military campaign in Gaza, and that the US should continue to supply weapons to them?
The last four months has seen more than 27,000 people killed in Gaza, including 10,000 children, and more than 60,000 wounded.
South Africa believes Israel is guilty of genocide.
Amnesty says today that Israel is committing war crimes.
And António Guterres said that the people of there don’t have enough to eat, while Israel continues to block food supplies.

Yet today Joe Biden has asked Congress for billions of dollars to continue to supply arms.

How can you in all honesty go to Washington for St Patrick’s Day to enjoy Biden’s hospitality, while he continues to facilitate this carnage?
Some may claim that face-to-face conversation gives them an opportunity to express Ireland’s views on the situation.
But this is absurd. Biden knows our views. It would say much more to him if his celebrations were boycotted.
It would also be a message to the Irish American voters he is trying to canvas.

If you have any moral principles you will stand by the Palestinians and refuse to join in Biden’s re-election party.

Art Ó Laoghaire

Bernadette McAliskey’s Article :

Sharing thoughts on Northern Ireland politics and American policy

Bernadette McAliskey, Impartial Reporter, February 9 2024

Thank You, Mr. Eastwood.

Colum Eastwood’s decision to absent himself and SDLP from ‘rocking the sham’ in the White House is very welcome.