The Taoiseach should avoid the White House this St Patrick’s Day, People Before Profit has said.
The ceremony with the US President is one of the highlights of the Irish political year; however, Dublin South-Central TD Bríd Smith said the current administration’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza means Leo Varadkar should stay home this year.
“Boycott Washington,” she said.
“Do not share the bowl of shamrock, do not visit ‘Genocide Joe [Biden]’ on that day and isolate them from what is an important day in the calendar of the Irish diaspora everywhere.”
Joe Biden and Leo Varadkar meeting at the White House. Biden says he’s looking forward to discussing the Good Friday Anniversary. While Varadkar said he foresees a big welcome for Biden to Ireland next month pic.twitter.com/WOj9BpJJWL
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) March 17, 2023
According to local estimates, some 23,000 people have been killed in Gaza and Deputy Smith said all TDs should take a stand.
“Well, not only do we want the Taoiseach to boycott the St Patrick’s Day visit, we want all Dáil Éireann elected Deputies to boycott St Patrick’s Day and that includes the leader of the opposition Mary Lou McDonald,” she said.
“[She] said she will go and we think this is wrong.
“Joe Biden is now known commonly throughout the world as a killer, ‘Genocide Joe’ they call him.”
Hearings have begun today at the International Court of Justice after South Africa accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza - a term Leo Varadkar has said he feels “bit uncomfortable” using.
Main image: US President Joe Biden meets with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office of the White House. Image: Yuri Gripas/UPI Credit: UPI/Alamy
