Catherine Connolly has compared the State of Israel to Hamas, describing the country as a “terrorist State”. 

With the race for the Áras hotting up, the independent Presidential candidate has been sharply criticised for remarks she made about Hamas by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. 

Deputy Connolly described Hamas as "part of the fabric of the Palestinian people" and rejected the idea that the militant group should be banned from participating in the Government of a Palestinian State. 

“I would be very wary of telling a sovereign people how to run their country,” she said. 

"The Palestinians must decide, in a democratic way, who they want to lead their country."

 

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In response, Mr Martin said it appeared that the Galway TD was “reluctant to unequivocally condemn 7th October", when Hamas attacked Israel, murdering some 1,200 people. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Deputy Connolly said she “absolutely” stands by her remarks about Hamas. 

 “They were said in the context of the future of Palestine and Keir Starmer ruling in and ruling out who should be part of those talks,” she said. 

“We come from a country that was colonised; we come from the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. 

“We have to recognise that we’ve recognised Palestine as a State and then it’s up to the people of Palestine how they envisage that State and what they do.” 

Israeli hostages Iair Horn, 46, left, Sagui Dekel Chen, 36, center left, and Alexander Troufanov, 29, right, are escorted by Hamas to be handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. Picture by: AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana.

When asked if she considered Hamas to be a terrorist organisation, Deputy Connolly agreed and said she had “utterly condemned” their attack on October 7th. 

She added that she also condemned Israel’s conduct in the subsequent war. 

“Israel is a terrorist State, it’s acting like a terrorist State,” she said. 

“It’s committing genocide and yet Israel will be in any talks in relation to a peace settlement. 

“So, if we are a neutral country and we value our voice, if we want credibility in the world, then we have to use our voice to call out the abuse of power. 

“Whether it’s by Hamas or the Israeli Government or whoever.” 

Palestinians inspect the damage at a site hit by an Israeli bombardment on Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Picture by: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo

Deputy Connolly called for a ceasefire, a release of all the hostages taken by Hamas and then peace. 

The Israeli Government, which has been accused of genocide by the Irish Government and a recent UN report, has always denied that it is committing war crimes in Gaza. 

"Our defence forces target terrorists and never civilians. Hamas is responsible for the suffering in Gaza," a Government spokesperson said this summer. 

According to estimates provided by officials in Gaza, some 65,000 people in the territory have been killed since the conflict began two years ago.

Main image: Catherine Connolly. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie