Kneecap’s Gaza SXSW boycott shows Ireland’s politicians what to do on St Patrick’s Day in the White House - The Irish News view

The deep cultural, historical and emotional ties between Ireland and the United States find a special focus around St Patrick’s Day.

This connection was assiduously cultivated by President Bill Clinton and became an important component of the thawing of relations that made the Good Friday Agreement possible.

Since then, every mid-March sees Washington go green and awash with a procession of politicians, civic representatives and business leaders from across Ireland, all hoping for some privileged access to the White House and the President.

This year is no different, but the unfolding tragedy in Gaza means it should be.

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Ireland may have inextricable emotional and economic ties with the United States, but Israel and the US also have a special bond, one that is ghoulishly underpinned by military might.

American bombs, bullets and tanks are instrumental to the devastating response that the Israel Defence Forces has unleashed in response to Hamas and its disgusting October 7 attacks.

More than 30,000 lives, mostly women and children, have been lost, swathes of Gaza have been ground to dust and 80% of people displaced from their homes.

Disgracefully, the US has not used its political and military influence to restrain Israel’s actions. Or at least not effectively; it is absurd that President Joe Biden is building a port to bring aid to Gaza, when he should be stopping the war.

This leaves Irish politicians faced with a decision. It is difficult to credibly express solidarity with Palestinian people while also gladhanding President Biden and currying favour with Washington elites.

It is difficult for Irish politicians to credibly express solidarity with Palestinian people while also gladhanding President Biden and currying favour with Washington elites… it is being left to artists like Kneecap to bring moral clarity

The SDLP decided long ago that it wouldn’t be joining the White House party. Meanwhile Sinn Féin - so fond of criticising others for not denouncing Israel - will be front-and-centre in Washington; its insistence that it will be bringing the plight of the Palestinians directly to the US establishment will sound feeble to many.

For real leadership on engaging with the US while Gaza is besieged we need to look in an unlikely direction.

Irish musicians, including Belfast hip hop trio Kneecap, are boycotting this week’s prestigious South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas over the war.

The decision was a “no brainer” said Kneecap’s Mo Chara. “It’s good to be on the right side of history as Irish people,” he said, adding that the financial penalty for missing the US Army-sponsored festival was a small price to pay for doing “the right thing”.

That it is being left to artists like Kneecap to bring sharp moral clarity to this issue must give Irish politicians in the US this week serious pause for thought. One of the band’s tracks is called Guilty Conscience; sadly, it could also be the soundtrack to the Washington jamboree.