Hamas 'part of the fabric of the Palestinian people' - Connolly

Independent Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has said the Palestinian militant group Hamas is "part of the fabric of the Palestinian people".

Speaking to Talkback on BBC Radio Ulster, she said it is "not up to" British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to say that Hamas should have no role in the future politics of a Palestinian state.

"I come from Ireland, a history of colonisation, and I would be very wary of telling a sovereign people how to run their country. The Palestinians must decide in a democratic way who they want to lead their country," she said.

"What happened on 7 October I'm on record condemning, but history did not start on 7 October. It's important to point that out and to look back on the history and the many, many atrocities commited by the Israeli government through their army.

"I don't think Keir Starmer should have any say about Hamas, it's up to the Palestinian people. What Keir Starmer and other countries should be doing is stopping the genocide and using our voices to stop it."

Ms Connolly said she condemns the 7 October attacks but would not describe it as genocide, as genocide has a "very specific meaning under international law".

"What happened on 7 October was wrong, absolutely wrong, I've no hesitation in saying that, but they're not comparable at all," she said.