05/12/2014

Adams Refused Entry Into Gaza

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has been refused entry into Gaza by Israeli authorities.

Mr Adams is on a three-day visit to Israel and Palestine.

Yesterday he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for an hour of talks in Ramallah and then met with with leader of the Palestinian National Initiative Dr Mustafa Barghouti.

Earlier Mr Adams met with Labour Party leader Isaac Herzog.

Commenting on the decision to deny him entry into Gaza, the Sinn Féin president said: "The decision by the Israeli authorities to refuse me entry into Gaza is deeply disappointing, particularly as I was able to spend two days there in 2009.

"My purpose on this visit has been to listen. Primarily I am here to learn. When asked I have also outlined the broad strategic approach Sinn Féin took to the Irish Peace Process.

"Central to our success has been the imperative of dialogue. But it also required participants to take risks for peace and to be prepared to try and understand other points of view.

"Preventing me from travelling to a Gaza and talking to those citizens who have survived three Israeli assaults in the last decade, and who are besieged and in need of massive aid to rebuild their shattered economy and society, runs contrary to the needs of a peace process and is very unhelpful."

(IT/CD)

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