Deputy first minister criticises Higgins over Gaza comments at Holocaust event

Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister has criticised President Michael D Higgins for raising the ongoing conflict in Gaza during his speech to an annual Holocaust memorial event in Dublin.

Emma Little-Pengelly said the President was “absolutely wrong” to raise the issues, accusing him of “politicising” the event.

Protesters were removed from the memorial event during an address by Mr Higgins on Sunday.

A number of people objected to the invitation to Mr Higgins to deliver the keynote address to the National Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration in Dublin.

Survivors of the Holocaust were among the audience who gathered at the Mansion House for the event which included readings, survivors’ recollections and a recitation of the Scroll of Names featuring relatives and ancestors of Irish residents who died in the Holocaust.

As Mr Higgins spoke about the events that unfolded on October 7th, 2023, when Hamas attacked in southern Israel leading to the conflict in Gaza, a…