Alliance Education spokesperson and Chair of the Education Committee, Nick Mathison MLA, has expressed serious concern following Education Minister Paul Givan's recent seven-day trip to Israel, which reportedly involved members from Unionist parties including the DUP, UUP, and TUV.

The Strangford MLA stated that many questions regarding the appropriateness of the Minister's trip, which "appears to be funded by the Israeli Government," must be answered.

Mr Mathison said: "Paul Givan's recent actions and statements in relation to Israel and Palestine have been incredibly concerning, not least his decision to undertake a visit to Israel, which it appears has been funded by the Israeli Government." The Alliance MLA highlighted that the timing and nature of the visit, given the ongoing conflict, were understandable reasons for public concern.

Mr Mathison specifically took issue with the promotion of the trip by the Department of Education, noting that this action "created additional confusion regarding whether the Minister was attending for party business or departmental business." He described the promotion on official department platforms as "surprising and inappropriate" given the lack of prior indication that this was a departmental engagement.

"There should be no blurring of the Minister's private political activity and the work of the Department. It is vital that clarity on the role of the Department in this trip is provided urgently."

Mr Mathison confirmed he will be seeking full transparency from the Minister and his officials regarding the departmental role in the visit and its nature in the context of the ongoing conflict.