SF calls for ceasefire in Middle East

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has urged the Israelis and the Palestinians to implement a ceasefire and resume peace talks following a week of violence that has left more than 60 people dead.

Speaking after talks with the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Ali Halimeh, Mr Adams said the international community must push for a new political initiative to end the 17-month-old Palestinian uprising.

He urged the US government, the European Union and all Arab and Islamic states to recognise the legitimacy of both an Israeli and a Palestinian state, saying the people of those countries have the right to peaceful co-existence and self-determination.

"Such a clear expression of both states would create a better atmosphere in which the Palestinians and the Israeli government could negotiate and implement a durable peace agreement," he said.