Independent presidential hopeful Catherine Connolly has stated that both Hamas and Israel “committed war crimes,” following her earlier comment describing Hamas as “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people,” reports RTE.
Clarifying her previous remarks, Ms Connolly said she has denounced Hamas’ actions, particularly the attack on 7 October 2023, which she called “absolutely unacceptable.” She emphasised that war crimes have been committed by both parties and expressed hope that each side would be held accountable.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, she said: “They \[Hamas] were elected by the people the last time there was an election, there was overwhelming support for them back in 2006 or 2007. And they are part of the civil society of Palestine, reports RTE.
“But history did not start on the 7th of October and at some stage parties outside of Palestine and Israel must begin to look at what has led to this conflict and how it can be resolved and resolved it must. In the meantime, the slaughter is going on and the genocide is going on and I’ve travelled the country. I’ll be travelling it again and it’s the top of the list for everyone that I’m talking to, of course all the other issues, housing and health, but the ongoing genocide, people are appealing to us, please stop it,” reports RTE.
“The 80-something per cent of the people that have died or have received injuries are civilians,” reports RTE.
Ms Connolly confirmed that she does support the classification of Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
However, she said: “Israel is acting as a terrorist state. Both have to sit down at some stage. I mean, let’s look at what Israel are doing and call it out for what it is. They’re absolutely out of control,” reports RTE.
These remarks follow her appearance on BBC Radio Ulster, where she said Hamas is “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people.”
She made the statement while taking issue with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s position that Hamas should be excluded from future Palestinian leadership, reports RTE.
She argued that foreign politicians should not have the authority to decide who represents the Palestinian people.
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy acknowledged that Hamas plays a role in the reality of Palestine and said there’s no question about that.
Addressing reporters outside Government Buildings, he said Ms Connolly believes the 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas were war crimes and described them as abhorrent and indefensible, reports RTE.
Deputy Carthy added that genuine peace talks would be impossible without engagement between both Israel and Hamas.
“From an Irish perspective, people have come through a peace process. We know the most difficult part of building peace…is knowing people have to talk with others who you profoundly disagree with. The truth of the matter is that the people of Gaza elected Hamas whether we like that or not,” reports RTE.
Reacting to Ms Connolly’s statements, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination must be protected.
She noted that this is a “key principle in international law”.
She said: “For us, we have consistently condemned Hamas. We were one of the first parties condemning them after 7 October,” reports RTE.
However, Ms Whitmore acknowledged that achieving peace is extremely complicated.
“As part of any peace process, people who were on different sides of any war or aggression – they do eventually have to sit down and talk,” she added, reports RTE.
She expressed support for a “free and fair election” to allow Palestinians to choose their leaders.
Nonetheless, Ms Whitmore said that reality remains “such a long way away”.
Labour TD Ged Nash said he was pleased that Ms Connolly clarified her view of Hamas as a terrorist group, reports RTE.
He stated: “What she did today is clarify. I wouldn’t have used the language that she used. She could have been clearer,” reports RTE.
Mr Nash said determining who appears on the Palestinian ballot isn’t his place.
“It is obviously up to the Palestinian people who they vote for,” he said, reports RTE.
He reiterated that the Labour Party does not believe a group like Hamas should play a role in governing Palestine in the future.
Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, stated that anyone seeking Ireland’s presidency must have “no tolerance whatever for Hamas,” reports RTE.
“Hamas are murderers and rapists. Every EU country – including Ireland – has declared that Hamas are terrorists,” Mr Byrne wrote on social media site X. Nobody aspiring to be president of Ireland, a country founded on human rights and the rule of law, should have any tolerance whatever for Hamas,” reports RTE.
Ms Connolly also addressed suggestions that her interest in Northern Ireland is recent, saying that’s not the case.
“I have repeatedly gone to Northern Ireland in different capacities but it’s something I didn’t announce. I went up as chair of the Irish committee. I went up in my own personal capacity. I’ve met groups on both sides of the divide, and I’d like to say diverse communities,” she said, reports RTE.
She said she fully understands the constitution and Article Three, noting that any future movement toward a united Ireland would require decisions from governments.
She underlined that the president’s role is to give voice to Article Three.
She said she remains open to dialogue and is eager to engage in the upcoming national debate on the topic, reports RTE.
Still, she said everything must be handled with mutual respect and full consent.
“All parties were involved in the Good Friday Agreement and civil society also played a huge role,” Ms Connolly said, adding that going forward everyone must be involved equally, reports RTE.
“It would have to be that everybody is involved equally. Absolutely, we have to respect both every tradition and every community in the six counties,” she said, reports RTE.
Ms Connolly said she is pleased that various political groups, including Sinn Féin, are supporting her, stating that “they see that I have characteristics that they wish to see in a President”.
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