Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has been refused entry into Gaza during a visit to the region. Mr Adams is on a three day visit to Israel and Palestine.
Yesterday he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for an hour of talks in Ramallah and later with Dr Mustafa Barghouti - the leader of the Palestinian National Initiative.
Earlier he also met with the Israeli Labour Party leader, Issac Herzog.
Just been told my Visit 2 Gaza has been blocked by Israeli Govt. No reason given. A small example of bad policy. Siege of Gaza is illegal.
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) December 5, 2014
Commenting on the Israeli decision to deny him entry into Gaza, Mr Adams said: "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."
"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," he added.
