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In the United States, the Irish Star, which bills itself as “the voice of Irish America”, covered Connolly’s impending victory by drawing attention to her past comments about Donald Trump and US imperialism. The paper also described her as being “widely perceived as the underdog” in the race, a characterisation Connolly and many others would likely disagree with. Advertisement It also said “Connolly’s liberal views have put her in the favour of young people in Ireland,” referencing her support for Palestine and referendums on same-sex marriage and abortion. The Journal's Election Centre Politico, a US-based online political news outlet, focused on Connolly’s opinion of Nato and her opposition to past European Union treaties. Its article also said Connolly had been “accused of offering propaganda boosts for dictators from Russia to Syria”. Comparing Connolly to President Michael D Higgins, it said: “Connolly has been outspoken in condemning Israel for its two-year war in Gaza — a certain vote-winner in a country that openly sympathizes with the Palestinians and has wretched relations with Tel Aviv. “But Connolly has gone farther, defending Hamas’ right to play a future role in any Palestinian state,” the article said. It went on to say that Connolly’s “Nato-critical stance on Ukraine” could generate “the most awkward headlines for an Irish government caught between the state’s official neutrality and its support for EU efforts to bolster Ukraine”. In the Middle East, coverage centred around Connolly’s position on Israel and Palestine. Qatari news organisation Al Jazeera described her as a “pro-Palestine candidate” in its article about the election, while The Times of Israel newspaper described her as “anti-Israel”. Al Jazeara described how Connolly’s campaign has been “especially popular among young people, who approve of her declaration that reunification with Northern Ireland is a ‘foregone conclusion’, her strong pro-Palestine stance, her commitment to social justice, and criticism of the European Union’s growing ‘militarisation’”. The Times of Israel said her victory has come “despite backlash over her apparent support for Hamas”. “Connolly, in particular, has attracted attention for her outspoken criticism of Israel and her controversial remarks about Palestinians and Hamas,” the article read. “Connolly later clarified that she ‘utterly condemned’ Hamas’ actions, while also criticizing Israel for what she described as ‘genocide’ in Gaza, a claim strongly rejected by Israel.” The Australian ran a piece describing Connolly as “a nutter” and said her election was “the ultimate joke”. “There’s a colourless establishment technocrat on one side, and an absolute nutter on the other. And if the polls are right, the nutter is going to win,” it said. Closer to home, in the UK, The Guardian cast Connolly’s success as a response to the current coalition government. “Anger over a housing crisis and the cost of living, campaign blunders by Fine Gael and its ruling partner Fianna Fáil, rare unity among leftwing parties and deft use of social media combined to make Connolly a symbol of change,” its article read. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Support The Journal David MacRedmond View 13 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “From 'symbol of change' to 'nutter': How media outlets abroad are covering Catherine Connolly”. 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