Gerry Adams urges action to ease Middle East violence

The European Union was today urged to suspend preferential trade with Israel in a bid to stop more bloodshed in the Middle East.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams also appealed to Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern to use his influence to end the violence as the Palestinian death toll during the week-long Israeli occupation of northern Gaza approached 70.

About 70 Palestinians – 30 of them civilians – have been killed during fighting mainly concentrated in the Jabaliya refugee camp.

In the latest incident, a 13-year-old Palestinian girl Iman al-Hams was shot from an Israeli army observation tower in the Tel Sultan neighbourhood of Rafah.

Palestinian doctors said she was hit 20 times – five times in the head – while she walked to school.

Israeli radio said soldiers opened fire when children entered an area “banned” to Palestinians.

Troops claimed the girl was shot when the schoolbag she threw away was mistaken for a bomb.

The Israelis began their operation a week ago after an air surveillance video was released showing members of the militant Hamas movement transporting a rocket.

UN officials denied claims that the militants had loaded the rocket into one of their ambulances.

After the military operation began, members of Hamas fired a rocket into the Israeli town of Sderot last Wednesday, killing two children.

Israel has been planning a withdrawal from Gaza, which it has occupied since 1967, with the 8,000 Jewish settlers and the Army due to leave by the end of 2005.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s government would, however, maintain control of the territory’s borders, coastline and airspace.

Almost 1.4 millions Palestinians live in Gaza.

With the UN currently debating a resolution calling on Israeli to end its operation, there was speculation that efforts were being made to broker a ceasefire.

Condemning the latest violence, Mr Adams said the international community had to do everything in its power to help bring about a peaceful solution to the conflict.

“The latest incursions into Palestinian territory by Israeli forces are to be condemned,” the West Belfast MP said.

“Sinn Féin is unequivocal. The suicide attacks, the killing of civilians, the invasion by Israel of Palestinian territory and the deliberate targeting for assassination of Palestinian leaders must end.

“I am calling upon the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern to use his influence, and that of the government to assist in the search for peace in the Middle East.

“Minister Ahern should make the resolution of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict a foreign policy priority during his term in office.

“I am also calling upon the EU to support the suspension of preferential trade with Israel until the occupation of Palestinian territory ceases.

“It is imperative that Israel engages in genuine negotiation and dialogue with the Palestinian people and there is a clear role for the international community to help in such a process.”

Mr Adams also urged the international community through the UN to do everything it could to end the violence.

Last week, the Sinn Féin president appeared on Al-Jazeera television to appeal for the release of British hostage Kenneth Bigley in Iraq.