Make no mistake, Paul Givan, a leading unionist politician, is right now on an all-expenses-paid six-day fact-finding tour of Israel. He describes the upcoming trip as a “fact-finding mission.” The trip – organized by the Israeli embassy – created quite the controversy. In addition, political groups and educators in Northern Ireland have expressed their opposition.
While in the country, Givan visited the Ofek School in Jerusalem. From there, he went on to interact with students and staff within the Israeli school system and, of course, representatives from the Israeli Ministry of Education. The Department for Education in Northern Ireland trumpeted Givan’s visit on its department’s website and social media feeds. This Order itself became a lightning rod for criticism and oversight from political adversaries.
Critics are sounding the alarm over Givan’s trip. They are most concerned about its scope and timing, particularly with the increased military conflict in Gaza. From October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel and killed an estimated 1,200 civilians. In turn, Israel has conducted widespread ground and air bombardment. According to Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza, the toll is staggering. More than 68,500 lives have already been lost in our region because of these criminal activities.
Alliance Party member Nick Mathison questioned Givan’s judgment. He slammed Givan for taking a trip to Israel which was funded by the Israeli government. He pointed out that the tour only shows “one very specific side of the story,” further calling into question the tour’s neutrality. During his testimony, Mathison stressed the importance of keeping political activity clearly separated from the government’s official conduct.
“I think that the idea that we should be there as guests of the Israeli government to hear what the message is that they wish to put out around this conflict, to me, is unacceptable.”
The censure went a step further than Mathison, as Matthew O’Toole of the Social Democrat and Labour Party (SDLP) denounced Givan’s visit. He referred to it as a “propaganda junket to Israel after the killing of thousands of kids,” calling it an “appalling thing to do.” O’Toole highlighted the stark contrast between Givan’s trip and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where civilian casualties continue to rise.
Cathy Mason, a fellow Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Sinn Féin criticized Givan’s dramatic move. She asserted that he “chose to visit Israel at a time when that very same state is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.” Mason made note of the fact that Givan is visiting a different continent. At the same time, schools across Northern Ireland are facing acute funding emergencies.
“Meanwhile, schools here continue to lurch from crisis to crisis… Israel has bombed nearly every school in Gaza out of existence and murdered tens of thousands of children,” Mason added.
The visit has received condemnation not only from her political opponents but by one of her own professions’ organizations, the American Federation of Teachers. The organization representing Northern Ireland’s main teaching unions expressed their disapproval of Givan’s trip. Dr. Graham Gault from the National Association of Head Teachers urged the Department of Education to maintain “political neutrality” in such matters.
In the face of this backlash, Sammy Wilson, former environment minister and current DUP MP responded powerfully to defend Givan’s trip. He noted that all press releases from governmental departments are vetted for political content, implying that Givan’s visit had undergone appropriate scrutiny prior to its announcement.
Several political figures question the appropriateness of using civil service resources to promote what they view as a politically charged trip. People Before Profit party member Gerry Carroll, pictured above, stood up to the Department of Education. He condemned them for welcoming Givan’s visit. He contended that these moves are obviously vindictive and politically motivated, nevertheless fitting with the recent events.
“The Department of Education has been actively promoting the minister’s visit, which is totally inappropriate. This trip is clearly politically motivated,” Carroll asserted.
Public debate surrounding Givan’s tour of Israel has become increasingly charged. In a stunning reaction, the Derry City and Strabane District Council initially supported a motion that demands his immediate resignation. The council’s actions are indicative of a larger trend towards political accountability and responsibility in the face of protracted conflict and humanitarian emergency.
According to Givan’s supporters, international trips are an important educational prospect. For opponents, the act of negotiating with a government charged with genocide goes against media neutrality and independent, fair journalism.
“It was passed obviously by the department and it also refers only to the lessons that he (Givan) learnt in the school that we visited,” Wilson stated defensively.
