There is “very big concern” about Ireland’s position on Palestine in the United States, a Washington-based journalist has warned ahead of the Taoiseach’s visit. 

Micheál Martin has arrived in Texas today, where he will begin a week of engagement to celebrate Ireland’s national day. 

On Wednesday, he will hand over the traditional bowl of shamrock to Trump in the Oval Office - despite significant differences in Irish and US foreign policy. 

While the Irish Government is preparing to ban the import of goods from Israel’s occupied territories, the US-Israel alliance remains as strong as ever. 

Last week, Trump issued a “last warning” to Hamas to hand over the final Israeli hostages, warning them, “Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don't do as I say.” 

On The Hard Shoulder, journalist Susan Garraty warned Mr Martin that American politicians are extremely unhappy with Ireland's stance on the conflict in Gaza. 

“Let me tell you, in all the years I’ve been here in Washington,” she said. 

“In all the years I’ve been associated with Ireland and the US, I’ve never felt Ireland really called out on many levels for their position on the Palestinians.” 

Palestinians sit at a large table surrounded by the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings as they gather for iftar, the fast-breaking meal, on the first day of Ramadan in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. Picture by: AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana.

Ms Garraty added that Mr Martin has been “making a lot of the right moves” ahead of his visit to Washington. 

“He’s announced that he’s going to meet with some groups after the visit on Wednesday in the Oval Office to talk about antisemitism,” she said. 

“That’s a topic that hasn’t really been brought up in the Irish media. 

“There’s a great deal of concern about Ireland’s position on Palestinians and there’s a great deal of influence there.” 

 Smoke rises following Israeli air strikes in Gaza Picture by: Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa/Alamy Live News

Despite this, she does not believe the issue will be raised by Trump when Mr Martin visits him in the Oval Office. 

“Certainly the Taoiseach’s not going to, the President is not going to,” she said. 

“If you were to have, maybe, the Commerce Secretary who has been none too supportive of Ireland in the past. 

“It’s all about who is in the room.” 

Palestinians in the rubble of a school in Nuseirat. Picture by: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo

Ms Garraty added that Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to have breakfast with the Taoiseach earlier that day. 

It means he is unlikely to be in the Oval Office with Mr Martin afterwards. 

“Hopefully he won’t be able to scurry over and make it to the meeting then in the Oval Office,” she said. 

“Really, it was JD Vance who started the whole political theatre of going after Zelenskyy. 

“Without that pitbull next to him, hopefully cooler heads will prevail.” 

One person will not be in the room with him is First Minister Michelle O'Neill, who announced she would be boycotting the event because of Trump's stance on Gaza.

Main image: Trump on St Patrick's Day. Picture by: Alamy.com