Adams ‘banned from visiting Gaza’

Gerry Adams has said Israel has barred him from making a planned visit to the Gaza Strip during a three-day tour of the region.

Mr Adams added he was not given a reason for the Israeli decision preventing Friday’s trip and adds that he is disappointed by it.

“The decision by the Israeli authorities to refuse me entry into a 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,” said Mr Adams

“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 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.

Israel’s Defence Ministry – which controls access from Israel to the densely populated strip – was not immediately available for comment.

Mr Adams’ Sinn Féin Party has long taken a pro-Palestinian position in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Earlier in his trip to the region, Mr Adams met with Issac Herzog - leader of Israel’s opposition Labour Party - and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Mr Adams said that while in Gaza, he had intended on meeting with NGOs, and visiting hospitals along other public institutions.

“The Israeli decision is a reminder of the imperative of supporting the Palestinian efforts to secure UN and international recognition of the Palestinian state. That campaign has seen some success in recent months and next month it will be debated in the European Parliament. It is also in a small way a reminder of the apartheid system that now applies.

“I raised the recognition of a Palestinian state with the Taoiseach this week in the Dáil and I intend to continue to raise it. The people of Palestine have the right to national statehood. It's not an issue for negotiation. It is a principle and a right. The international community has an obligation to support this and to uphold international law,” the Sinn Féin party president added.