“Israel is a terrorist state”: Far-left Irish lawmaker elected president in landslide win

Independent lawmaker Catherine Connolly has been elected the 10th President of Ireland in an overwhelming landslide, securing over 63 percent of the first-preference vote.

While the presidency is a largely ceremonial role, Connolly’s victory is immediately set to intensify diplomatic strain between Ireland and ‘Israel’ due to her history of strident anti-‘Israel’ rhetoric, which became a focal point of her far-left campaign.

Her election also drew scrutiny and condemnation from Hebrew media.

Connolly, a 68-year-old former barrister and lawmaker, campaigned with an “unflinching critique of Israel's war in Gaza” that resonated with voters frustrated by domestic crises and supportive of the Palestinian cause.

Her public statements have repeatedly placed her at odds with diplomatic norms, including an accusation leveled from the Dáil Éireann (Ireland's legislature) that ‘Israel’ is a “terrorist state”.

“If we in this Dáil can't recognize that Israel is a terrorist state, then we're in serious trouble,” Connolly stated in a campaign video, going on to criticize ‘Israel’s’ assault on Gaza.

She has also repeatedly said ‘Israel’ is carrying out a “genocide” in the Gaza Strip.

The Hamas Controversy

Connolly’s position on Hamas drew particular scrutiny during the election cycle. Prior to the events of October 7, she had characterized Hamas as being “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people”.

However, facing criticism, she later clarified her stance on the violence that triggered the war.

Connolly maintained that she “utterly condemned” Hamas’s actions, describing the group’s actions on October 7 “absolutely unacceptable”.

Relations between ‘Israel’ and Ireland have been complex and strained for decades. Tensions reached a breaking point in late 2024 when ‘Israel’ closed its embassy in Dublin, citing Ireland's overwhelming “anti-Israel” stance.

The diplomatic crisis deepened in January 2025 when Ireland announced its decision to formally join South Africa's Gaza genocide case against ‘Israel’ at the International Court of Justice.