The SDLP has confirmed it will snub St Patrick’s Day events at the White House next month due to “beyond the pale” views expressed by President Donald Trump.
The party’s leader Claire Hanna referred to her predecessor’s decision not to attend festivities in Washington DC last year in protest of the US’ involvement in Israel’s war in Gaza.
At the time, Colum Eastwood said he could not “rub shoulders, drink Guinness and have the craic” with government officials “while the civilian population in Gaza lives in constant fear of eradication”.
Ms Hanna said the party decided it “could not endorse the US Government while it armed and supported the bombardment of Gaza”.
Despite a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas now in place, the South Belfast MP said it is important to take a stand against the politics of President Trump who was swept into power after winning a majority of electoral college ballots and the popular vote back in November.
“We hope the fragile ceasefire will deliver a lasting peace and the return of hostages to their families, but the rhetoric of Donald Trump, around the displacement and ethnic cleansing of millions of people, is absolutely beyond the pale. We can’t in good conscience attend parties hosted in that context,” Ms Hanna said.
“The SDLP, and the island as a whole, has many friends in America who we will continue to engage with outside the trappings of St Patrick’s Day events. US politicians, investors and the Irish diaspora have been a positive influence here and we will retain links, particularly with those trying to resist and combat the overreach of the current administration.
“We understand the importance of the relationship between the US and this island, but the politics of the current US administration mean it is essential that we stand up for what is right, and when it comes to Gaza, what is wrong.
“The SDLP’s values are incompatible with what we are seeing and hearing and we won’t be endorsing it on St Patrick’s Day.”
It comes after the commander-in-chief proposed a US takeover of the Gaza Strip which would result in millions of Palestinians being resettled in neighbouring countries under his plan to rebuild the devastated area.
This week President Trump threatened to let “hell break out” in the territory if the dozens of remaining Israeli hostages aren’t freed by Saturday.
It prompted senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri to hit back warning that abiding by the terms of the ceasefire is the only way to ensure the hostages return.
The designated terror group indefinitely suspended the release of hostages on Monday after accusing Israel of breaching its obligations.
Hamas accused Israel of delaying the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, carrying out strikes across the enclave and hindering the entry of humanitarian aid.