Irish presidential candidate condemns Hamas and Israel

Catherine Connolly was criticised after she said Hamas is "part of the fabric of the Palestinian people"

Irish presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has said she has "utterly condemned" Hamas and said both Israel and Hamas have "committed war crimes".

It follows criticism of Connolly who described Palestinian militant group Hamas as "part of the fabric of the Palestinian people".

The independent candidate also said it is "not up to" UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to say that Hamas should have no role in the future politics of a Palestinian state.

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin criticised Connolly for her comments, saying she was "reluctant to unequivocally condemn 7 October".

Some left-wing parties backing Connolly's presidential campaign distanced themselves from the comments she made on Monday.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland on Tuesday, Connolly said both Israel and Hamas have committed war crimes.

She said she has "utterly condemned" Hamas "over and over".

"[Hamas] were elected by the people the last time there was an election. Overwhelming support for them back in 2006 or 2007. They are part of the civil society of Palestine. We're reliant on them for figures in relation to the deaths."

Connolly said Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation and said Israel is behaving like a "terrorist state" and said October 7 attacks are "absolutely unacceptable".

"Both sides have committed war crimes," she said.

More than 65,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry

Sinn Féin continues to back Connolly

Left wing parties who have backed Connolly's presidential campaign, such as the Social Democrats, have distanced themselves from her remarks on the Talkback programme.

However, Sinn Féin's Matt Carty reiterated his support for Connolly's candidacy when asked about her comments on Tuesday.

"Anybody who has experience of peacebuilding, of negotiations would recognise that it is a statement of fact to say that whether we like it or not, Hamas are elected by the people of Gaza," he told Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

Carty said both Hamas and Israel had committed "war crimes" but he also said both sides must be involved in talks to secure a future peace deal.

The Sinn Féin politician praised the "positive assertions" of Ireland's outgoing head of state, Michael D Higgins, who has also been criticised his stance on Israeli actions.

"People should look as to who best is placed to actually continue that very proud legacy of Michael D Higgins and in my view that question is easily answered in one name - that of Catherine Connolly," Carty said.

The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

At least 65,344 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

Independent Ireland backs Steen

Maria Steen rose to prominence during Ireland's referendum on abortion in 2018

Meanwhile, the Independent Ireland party has announced it will back Maria Steen for the presidency in a huge boost for her campaign.

The prolife campaigner and barrister rose to prominence during Ireland's referendum on abortion in 2018.

She campaigned against a loosening of the State's abortion laws.

Steen is attempting to get on the ballot through the Oireachtas (Ireland's parliament), where she needs the backing of 20 parliamentarians.

Independent Ireland has now said it will back her and this will add a further four signatures to Steen's nomination.

It is believed she has the backing of up to 18 parliamentarians so far. Nominations for the presidency close on Wednesday at midday.

"As elected parliamentarians, we believe it is our duty to ensure that voters are given a real choice in this election," Independent Ireland said in a statement.

"Yet the process of securing a place on the ballot has been deliberately made more difficult by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael at council level, which we regard as an affront to democracy itself.

"It is in that spirit, and after careful consideration, The Independent Ireland party has agreed this morning that four Independent Ireland TDs will sign Maria Steen's nomination papers today."