Ireland’s New Pro-Palestine President: Who’s Catherine Connolly?

Dublin (QNN)- Left-wing independent candidate Catherine Connolly was officially declared Ireland’s next president on Friday. Connolly is known for her strong pro-Palestine stance and for criticizing Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Connolly pledged to be a “president for all” after securing 63% of the first preference votes.

“I will be a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality, a voice that articulates the existential threat posed by climate change,” she said at Dublin Castle on Saturday night after being declared the victor of Friday’s election.

Connolly has been outspoken in criticizing Israel over its war in Gaza and had garnered the backing of a range of left-leaning parties, including Sinn Fein, the Labour Party and the Social Democrats.

Deputy Prime Minister and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris also wished Connolly “every success”, adding, “She will be President for all this country.”

She will be Ireland’s 10th president and the third woman to hold the post.

Supporting Palestine and Rejecting Israel’s Genocide

Connolly has been outspoken in criticizing Israel over its genocide in Gaza.

She said: “The genocide has to stop, and we have to have a peace deal.”

She referred to Israel’s war in Gaza as “genocide” and criticized Western governments for their complicity. She has called for an end to Ireland’s trade with Israel, labeling it an “obscenity” in an October interview with JOE.

On Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she said, “At the moment, we have a powerful man carrying out genocide, and we’ve a powerful America, with other countries financing that.”

Connolly also praised the people of Ireland for being so vocal about Palestine.

“It’s the people of Ireland, young and old, who have said don’t do this in our name, and they have gone out in every weather, every season for almost two years now to say stop the genocide in Gaza.”

“They forced our country into recognising Palestine last year, and they’re forcing us every step of the way with the Occupied Territories Bill.”

In her campaign, Connolly emphasized the importance of Palestinian self-determination, stating that Palestinians should decide democratically who leads their country. She also noted that Hamas is “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people.”