First Minister Michelle O’Neill has backed the Irish president’s decision to highlight the conflict in Gaza during a Holocaust memorial event. But Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has said the Irish head of state’s comments were “absolutely wrong”.

Some members of the Irish Jewish Community objected to Mr Higgins delivering the keynote address at the event due to his stance on the ongoing situation in the Middle East

Emma Little-Pengelly said Michael D Higgins was “absolutely wrong” to raise Gaza in his speech, but Michelle O’Neill said it was “his business” to express his views.

A number of protesters stood and turned their backs to President Michael D Higgins as he delivered his speech during the National Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration in the Mansion House this afternoon.

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Ireland’s president has been branded “despicable” and accused of spewing “anti-Semitic lies” after he used a Holocaust memorial speech to highlight the plight of Gazans.

A Holocaust memorial ceremony in Dublin was disrupted after Jewish attendees were forced to leave for protesting Irish President Michael Higgins’ remarks about Gaza. In his speech, Higgins commemorated the Holocaust and lamented Hamas’ Oct.

A small number of protesters reportedly turned their backs on Mr Higgins as he addressed the current conflict in the Middle East