Sinn Fein has announced it will back a no-confidence motion against Northern Ireland's Education Minister Paul Givan (DUP). The motion will be tabled at the Assembly on Monday morning.
The controversy centers on Givan's recent trip to Israel and his department's social media promotion of the visit. The timing has drawn fierce criticism, as Israel conducts a military offensive in Gaza that faces international condemnation.
At a rally at Belfast City Hall on Saturday afternoon, Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey announced her party's support. «It is grotesque that the Education Minister has decided to visit Israel at this time when they are continuing to commit genocide, I say shame on him,» she said.
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll is proposing the motion. Speaking at the rally, he described Givan's actions as «the last straw» and declared: «He has to go, his time is clearly up.»
Calls for Accountability
The Northern Ireland Teachers' Council has criticized the department's promotion of the school visit as an «overtly political and divisive act» and urged deletion of the related social media post.
Pat Sheehan, vice chair of the Education Committee, has called for Givan to appear urgently before the committee to explain the trip and use of departmental resources. Hargey confirmed: «We will look at all options to hold this minister to account.»
Carroll said he has been «inundated with hundreds of emails of constituents who are appalled» by the minister's actions, including classroom assistants and teachers. He called for protests at Stormont on Monday and at every public engagement Givan attends.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson defended the minister, stating Givan had «every entitlement to go to Israel» following an invitation from the Israeli government.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
