The Israelis and Palestinians should call ceasefires and begin fresh peace talks to stop further bloodshed, Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams said today.
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Sinn Fein Mr Gerry Gerry
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The West Belfast MP urged the international community to "establish a new and powerful political initiative" to end the conflict. He was speaking after talks in west Belfast with the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland, Mr Ali Halimeh.
Mr Adams urged the US government, European Union and all Islamic and Arab nations to recognise the legitimacy of both states.
"The peoples of Palestine and of Israel have the right to peaceful coexistence based on their respective right to self-determination," he argued. "Such a clear expression of endorsement of both states would create a better atmosphere in which the Palestinians the Israeli government could negotiate and implement a durable peace agreement".
Mr Adams also urged the Irish Government to use its status on the United Nations Security Council to push for a "new, powerful international initiative now". The international community's failure to act in the face of "daily atrocities is unacceptable," Mr Adams said.
Mr Ali Halimeh also met members of the Northern Ireland Assembly during a visit to Stormont.
Following a 45-minute discussion with the Palestinian ambassador, nationalist SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan described the violence in the Middle East as "depressing and deeply worrying".
But the deputy First Minister stressed the importance of a successful Northern Ireland peace process to the Middle East and other areas affected by conflict.
"The success of the Good Friday Agreement and the endurance of the political process here highlights just how important it is that we show the world that dialogue yields results, and that violence, as well as being morally detestable, is also totally counterproductive to progress".
PA