Why Ireland Just Chose Catherine Connolly—and Why Her Gaza Comments Are Drawing Global Attention

Catherine Connolly secured a historic landslide in Ireland’s 2025 presidential election, becoming the country’s 10th president after building a broad coalition around social equality, Irish neutrality and a more outspoken approach to international affairs. The independent politician received 914,143 first-preference votes, representing 63.36% of valid ballots, in the October 24 election. Former Fine Gael minister Heather Humphreys finished second with 424,987 votes, or 29.46%, while withdrawn Fianna Fáil candidate Jim Gavin remained on the ballot and received 7.18%.

Connolly’s victory gave her the largest percentage recorded by a candidate in a contested Irish presidential election. She was inaugurated on November 11, 2025, succeeding Michael D. Higgins and becoming the third woman to serve as Ireland’s head of state. Although her campaign covered housing, equality, environmental protection, Irish unity and public services, her uncompromising comments about Israel, Gaza and Hamas placed her under intense scrutiny. Those statements became one of the most controversial elements of a campaign that ultimately produced a decisive rejection of Ireland’s traditional political establishment.

Catherine Connolly Built a Broad Anti-Establishment Coalition

Connolly entered the presidential contest with extensive experience in public service. Before entering politics, she worked as a clinical psychologist and later qualified as a barrister. She joined Galway City Council in 1999, became mayor of Galway in 2004 and was elected as an independent TD for Galway West in 2016. In 2020, she became the first woman elected as Leas-Cheann Comhairle, or deputy speaker of the Dáil. Her reputation for independence and parliamentary experience helped establish her as a credible alternative to candidates associated with Ireland’s dominant center-right parties.

Although Connolly ran as an independent, her candidacy attracted support from Sinn Féin, Labor, the Social Democrats, the Green Party and People Before Profit-Solidarity. The unusual alliance allowed several left-leaning parties to unite behind one candidate rather than divide their votes among competing campaigns. Her message focused on equality, peace, neutrality and compassionate diplomacy. She argued that the presidency could provide a moral voice for citizens who felt overlooked by conventional politics, even though the office does not control government policy.

Gaza Comments Placed Connolly Under International Scrutiny

Connolly’s position on the Israel-Gaza conflict became a major source of debate after she described Israel as a “terrorist state” and accused it of committing genocide in Gaza. She also faced criticism after saying Hamas was “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people” while discussing who should participate in decisions about Palestine’s political future. Critics argued that the statement risked blurring the distinction between Palestinian civilians and Hamas, the armed group responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Connolly later said she regarded Hamas as a terrorist organization and had “utterly condemned” the October 7 attack. She maintained, however, that Palestinians should determine their own political leadership and that both Hamas and the Israeli government must be held accountable for violence. She called for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and a negotiated peace settlement. Her position divided observers. Supporters praised her willingness to condemn the suffering of Palestinian civilians and challenge more powerful governments. Critics questioned whether such forceful language was appropriate for a candidate seeking an office expected to represent the entire country. Gaza did not stand alone as the reason for Connolly’s victory, but it strengthened her image as a politician willing to take positions that differed from conventional diplomatic language.

Ireland’s Recognition of Palestine Shaped the Political Context

Connolly’s arguments emerged in a country already known for strong political support for Palestinian rights. Ireland formally recognized the State of Palestine in May 2024 alongside Spain and Norway, placing it among the European governments most willing to challenge Israel’s conduct in Gaza. Her campaign extended that tradition while connecting it to Ireland’s history of colonialism, conflict resolution and military neutrality. She argued that Ireland could use its international reputation to promote diplomacy rather than increased militarization.

Her criticism was not limited to Israel. Connolly also questioned European military expansion and expressed concern about Ireland moving closer to NATO. Those positions appealed to voters determined to protect the country’s long-standing neutrality, although opponents warned that Ireland must respond realistically to changing European security threats.

What Connolly’s Presidency Means for Ireland

The Irish president has no executive or policymaking role and generally exercises constitutional functions on the government’s advice. However, the office carries considerable symbolic power through speeches, state visits, public ceremonies and national conversations. Connolly cannot independently change Ireland’s foreign policy, housing system or military arrangements. She can, however, use the presidency to elevate questions involving poverty, peace, disability rights, equality, Irish culture and the country’s international responsibilities. Her overwhelming victory also revealed the electoral potential of cooperation among Ireland’s left-leaning parties. Connolly presented herself as an independent candidate, but the organizational support behind her helped transform a grassroots campaign into a nationwide movement capable of defeating Fine Gael’s experienced candidate.

The result should not be interpreted as a straightforward referendum on Gaza. Voters were also responding to Connolly’s personal background, her independence from government, the weakness of the remaining field and wider frustration with establishment politics. The unusually high number of spoiled ballots and turnout of approximately 46% further complicate broad claims about a single national message. ( Still, the scale of Connolly’s victory gave her a powerful mandate to shape Ireland’s moral and civic conversation. Her presidency begins with supporters expecting a strong voice for peace, neutrality and social justice. At the same time, critics will watch closely to see whether her outspoken style can coexist with the diplomatic responsibilities of Ireland’s highest office.