Irish Taoiseach's White House Visit Shadowed by Israel-Hamas Conflict

St. Patrick’s Day at the White House is typically a time for joy, with green fountains and a crystal bowl of shamrocks exchanged to symbolize the friendly connection between the United States and Ireland. This year, amidst Israel’s conflict in Gaza, a somber tone looms over the event. President Joe Biden is hosting a delegation of Irish leaders who are under pressure from their constituents. In Ireland, there is strong support for the Palestinian cause due to a perceived shared history, and they are urging for a permanent ceasefire.

Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s Taoiseach, has promised to convey the widespread Irish support for Palestinians when he meets with Biden in the Oval Office. Despite rejecting calls from some Irish politicians to boycott the annual White House visit, he emphasized the Gaza conflict adds urgency to this year's discussions.

During a recent trip to Boston, Varadkar stated, "I will use this opportunity to share Ireland's perspective and express the sentiments of the Irish people. We advocate for an immediate ceasefire, an end to violence, the unconditional release of hostages, the provision of food and medicine to Gaza, and the initiation of a new peace process," as reported by Irish state broadcaster RTE.

The White House also mentioned that the two men would talk about the situation in the Middle East, humanitarian efforts in Gaza, and various other topics.

Before the meeting, both Irish and White House officials said they did not anticipate any hostility or tension. Varadkar, speaking to reporters in Boston, said, "I'm not here to scold or reprimand Biden."

The upcoming visit will be a significant shift from previous years, as discussions about the war will take center stage. In the past, the focus was more on light-hearted moments and celebrating Biden's strong connections to Ireland. Last year, Varadkar praised Biden as a true son of Ireland and announced his upcoming visit to the island.

When Biden finally arrived a month later, he was greeted by large and supportive crowds in various towns as he explored his ancestral roots. One highlight was a speech he gave to tens of thousands of people outside St. Muredach’s Cathedral in Ballina.

Support for Biden has decreased over the months as the situation in Gaza worsens, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. Some Irish politicians have accused Biden of contributing to the crisis.

Biden is facing pressure from progressive Democrats in the US to take a stronger stance on the Palestinian issue. Despite this, he continues to show unwavering support for Israel's actions against Hamas.

The president has recently increased calls for an “immediate ceasefire” and announced new steps to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, as well as the release of hostages held there. However, he has not made US arms shipments to Israel conditional. In a recent interview, he emphasized his unwavering support for Israel, stating “I’m never going to leave Israel” when discussing his red lines.

In contrast, Irish leaders from various political backgrounds have been critical of Israel's response since the beginning of the conflict. They have expressed concerns about the impact on innocent Palestinian civilians and have called for measures to protect them. Large protests in Dublin and other cities have demanded an immediate end to the violence. Prime Minister Varadkar has likened Israel's actions to acts of revenge in response to Hamas attacks.

Varadkar, while in Boston this week, spoke out against the Hamas terror attacks on October 7 that led to the ongoing war. He expressed concern for the innocent civilians affected by the conflict, emphasizing that they should not be punished collectively.

He stressed the importance of not remaining silent in the face of the suffering of innocent men, women, and children. Varadkar warned that ignoring their cries would leave a lasting impact on our conscience.

Support for Palestinians in Ireland has a strong foundation, as many draw parallels between Ireland's history of partition, conflict, and colonialism.

According to Jane Ohlmeyer, a history professor at Trinity College Dublin, the shared colonial experience between the Irish and Palestinians has influenced how people from Ireland approach postcolonial conflicts.

Ireland was Britain’s oldest colony. Unlike other Western European states, Ireland had direct and sustained experience of imperialism, similar to Palestine and other colonies of the British Empire.

There are also historic ties between Ireland and Palestine. The early-20th century British foreign secretary Arthur Balfour, who once served as chief secretary for Ireland and opposed Irish home rule, pledged in 1917 that the UK would back "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people."

Some political parties in Ireland have decided not to send representatives to the St. Patrick's Day event at the White House. This decision was influenced by their strong support for Palestinian civilians and disapproval of Biden's handling of the conflict.

During a session in Ireland's national assembly, the Dáil, Socialist Party member Mick Barry urged Varadkar to skip the traditional visit.

In just over a week, the Taoiseach will fly to the US Capitol to join Joe Biden in a day of celebration. He intends to present Biden with a bowl of shamrock on behalf of the Irish people. Despite this gesture, he will also be photographed with a man who has supported mass murder.

Barry's disapproval of Biden's foreign policy began before the Gaza war. He even refused to attend Biden's speech to the Dáil in April.

Michelle O’Neill, the first minister of Northern Ireland, is heading to the White House this week for St. Patrick’s Day meetings. Recently, she wrote in an op-ed that she plans to address the Gaza issue with American officials directly.

In her piece for The Irish News, she stated, “We are against Israel’s apartheid regime.” She also mentioned, “We will make it clear that Israel must take responsibility for its actions and will ask the US to support calls for a ceasefire.”

In February, O’Neill made history by becoming the first nationalist politician to serve as first minister in a power-sharing government that resumed after a two-year hiatus. She represents Sinn Fein, a pro-united Ireland party that was once associated with the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

The reinstatement of Northern Ireland’s devolved government was a key focus for Biden and is expected to be celebrated during the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day meetings and festivities. The power-sharing arrangement was a key component of the Good Friday Agreement, which the US played a role in facilitating to help bring an end to the years of sectarian violence known as The Troubles.

Some Irish leaders believe that the peace process in Northern Ireland could serve as a blueprint for US involvement in the Middle East. Varadkar noted President Biden's recent call for a temporary ceasefire and emphasized the importance of American support for a new peace initiative.

"It has worked in the past with President Carter and President Clinton, so hopefully President Biden can also play a key role in this," Varadkar stated.

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming St. Patrick's Day at the White House will be overshadowed by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, casting a somber tone over the traditionally joyous event. Irish leaders, under pressure from constituents who strongly support the Palestinian cause, will convey their concerns to President Biden, urging him to take a stronger stance on the crisis. The discussions will mark a significant departure from previous years, highlighting the growing divide between Ireland and the US on the issue.

The article also sheds light on the historical ties between Ireland and Palestine, which have shaped Irish public opinion on the conflict. The shared experiences of colonialism and partition have fostered a sense of solidarity among many Irish people who view the Palestinian struggle as a reflection of their own past. This deep-seated support for Palestinians has led some Irish politicians to boycott the St. Patrick's Day event at the White House in protest of Biden's perceived inaction on the issue.