Breaking Tradition, Irish Opposition Party to Boycott St. Patrick’s Day Event

decision was made in protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s stance on Gaza, according to Anadolu News Agency on Friday. Michelle O’Neill, First Minister of Northern Ireland and senior representative of Sinn Féin in Stormont, will break tradition this year and will not attend the event in Washington, D.C. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald stated in a video message that she felt “deeply concerned” after hearing Trump’s comments on Gaza, which called for the “mass expulsion” of Palestinians and the “permanent occupation” of their land. She expressed being “frightened” by Trump’s stance.