Adams kicks off Israel tour

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams kicked off his first trip to Israel today, seeking to encourage compromise between Israelis and their sworn enemies in Hamas.

But an Israeli government spokesman said officials would boycott the visit because Mr Adams planned to meet members of the violent Islamic group.

Adams arrived in Israel this afternoon. Tomorrow he is scheduled to go to the West Bank city of Ramallah with officials of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ moderate Fatah Party and members of the Palestinian parliament, including elected Hamas members, listed by Israel, the US and the EU as a terrorist organisation.

He will not see President Abbas, who is travelling in the Gulf.

Mr Adams met members of Palestinian and Israeli peace groups in Jerusalem tonight, but the doors of Israeli government offices will be closed to him.

He criticised the US and EU for cutting aid to the Palestinians after Hamas took over the government, reacting to the Islamic movement’s failure to renounce violence and recognise Israel.

The Western attitude is counterproductive, he said. “In the Irish peace process, the US administration played a positive and encouraging role, and we would urge them to take a similar approach here,” he said.

Regarding the refusal by Israeli officials to meet him, he said: “I’m disappointed that the Israeli government has taken up the position that it has taken up, but I have to say they have been very helpful in facilitating this visit.”

Asked if he would be counselling Hamas to renounce violence, he said: “It is our view that all conflict should be brought to an end though negotiations. That goes for everyone…If we’re asked our view, we shall give our view, which is that all conflict should end.

“Sinn Féin doesn’t have a special magic formula to resolve the problems here,” Adams said. “We don’t have any panacea, but we do believe that the problem can be resolved.”

The visit, at the invitation of Abbas, is classed as a private trip and is not being organised by British officials in Israel, the British Embassy said.

Mr Adams said he would speak by telephone to President Abbas.

Before arriving in Israel, Mr Adams said he wanted to help provide inspiration for parties in other conflicts, following agreement to end decades of bloody fighting in Northern Ireland.