When a Staunch Supporter of Palestine Becomes the President of Ireland

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Following the presidential election in the Republic of Ireland on Friday, October 24, 2025, Catherine Connolly emerged victorious with 63% of the vote, defeating Heather Humphreys, a candidate from the center-right party, who secured 29% of the vote.

The election of Catherine Connolly, with 63% of the vote, demonstrates a very important issue: the widespread desire among the people of this country for gradual change, not only from an individual perspective but also from a symbolic one. A matter that clearly and clearly shows why only 29% of the Irish people voted for the center-right party.

According to the report, Catherine Connolly has been criticized for her views on the Hamas movement, which she said in September was “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people.” Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin also criticized these statements in his own speech.

Of course, Connolly later stated that she “totally condemns” Hamas’ actions and considers the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that started the war “completely unacceptable.” But shortly after, she again criticized the Israeli regime for committing what she called “genocide” in Gaza, a charge that Israel strongly denies. Connolly has also accused Israel of being a “terrorist state.”

Meanwhile, Catherine Connolly, in a video she shared on her campaign Facebook page in June, said, referring to the lower house of the Irish legislature where she serves, “If we fail to recognize that Israel is a terrorist state, we are in serious trouble.” She then went on to criticize Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear program, its military behavior in Gaza, and other Israeli policies.

Another important point to note is that Connolly, 68, is a longtime critic of the European Union in Ireland’s largely pro-EU country. Backed by the left-wing opposition, she was widely underestimated at the start of the campaign because of her lack of popularity. An independent, Connolly gained strength as the campaign progressed, delighting younger voters.

But the turning point of Catherine Connolly’s campaign was when she said in a speech at Dublin Castle: “I will be a president who listens, who reflects and, when necessary, who speaks. Together, we can shape a new republic that values ​​everyone.”

The Irish president is largely a ceremonial figure who rarely uses his powers to test the constitution, but often speaks on the world stage and welcomes other heads of state to the country.

Many of Catherine Connolly’s views, from condemning the European Union’s plans to increase military spending to questioning the credibility of America, UK, and France over their positions on the Gaza war, stand in stark contrast to many of her party supporters, as well as to Michael Higgins, the current and outspoken Irish president, who is himself a critic of Israel.

And finally, Catherine Connolly’s victory is not just a political event, but a turning point in Irish history, reflecting the people’s desire for deeper changes in social justice and international relations. Despite the challenges ahead, including internal tensions with the government, ​​Connolly can act as a “people’s president” and lead Ireland towards a more inclusive future.