A very political holiday
On Sunday 17 March, Irish people (and others) around the world celebrated St Patrick's Day. Although the holiday is seen as a festivity meant to celebrate Irish culture and communities, it is more than that.
Since 1982, every standing Taoiseach (the Irish prime minister) has visited the White House on that day – a rare combination of soft and ‘hard’ power, as it comes with meetings between Irish and US officials. The two countries are particularly close due to a tradition of Irish emigration to the US. Irish Americans are the third largest ethnic group there, and US President Joe Biden still has close family in Ireland.
But last Sunday was special, as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the US-Irish diplomatic relationship. More importantly, the current Taoiseach Leo Varadkar called again for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a two-state solution – a symbolic move as the US has been criticised over its staunch alliance with Israel.
Although both Irish and Northern Irish leaders of Sinn Féin, the most vocal defender of Palestine, also attended the official ceremony, the ceremony faced criticism. For some, Ireland should have cancelled as the US is accused of having provided money and arms used by Israel to commit war crimes in Gaza.