Gerry Adams, leader of the Irish left-wing Sinn Féin, met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza Wednesday night, British news outlets reported Thursday.
"This is an open-air prison," the UK's Guardian quoted the Sinn Féin president as saying.
Haniyeh and Adams (Photo: Reuters)
According to the BBC, Adams said he was encouraged by the meeting. "Mr. Haniyeh told me that Hamas wants a peace agreement," he said. As a prelude to the meeting the Irish leader toured the Strip and spoke to residents and public figures.
"I was pleased to speak directly with Mr. Haniyeh. I outlined to him Sinn Féin's view that there should be a complete cessation of all hostilities and armed actions by all sides," he added.
"The fact is that the people of Palestine and the people of Israel are destined to live side by side. I believe that most people want a peaceful accommodation."
Adams said dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian leaders was the only answer. "That is what worked in Ireland," he said.
The Sinn Féin has historically been associated with the infamous IRA, which was established in the early 20th century and then worked to expel British forces from Ireland for dozens of years. It has been labeled a terrorist group in the United Kingdom.
In 2005 the IRA announced that it would end its armed campaign and work instead in a political fashion. It seeks to unite northern and southern Ireland under independent Irish rule.
At the height of its armed phase the IRA held contact with various terror organizations, including Fatah and Hizbullah. Officials have claimed that IRA fighters trained at Palestinian camps located in various Muslim countries, and in exchange granted the Palestinians political assistance in Europe.
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