SINN FEIN LEADER GERRY ADAMS DISCUSSES RECENT VISIT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BELFAST 000029 NOFORN NEA FOR FELTMAN AND MITCHELL E.O. 12958: DECL: 4/28/2019 TAGS: PREL UK EI IS KPAL PTER SUBJECT: SINN FEIN LEADER GERRY ADAMS DISCUSSES RECENT VISIT TO ISRAEL AND PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES CLASSIFIED BY: Susan Elliott, Consul General , US Consulate Belfast. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C/NF) During an April 27 meeting with Belfast Consul General, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams discussed his mid-April trip to Israel and the Palestinian Territories. During his meetings with Hamas leaders, Adams made clear he did not support violence. He also met with residents of the Israeli town of Sderot, who had concerns about Hamas rocket attacks. Adams said he told Hamas that rocket attacks were nonsense and should stop. However, he felt the Israeli response to the Hamas rockets was disproportionate. ¶2. (C/NF) During his visit to the West Bank, Adams noticed a marked increased in Israeli settlements since his last visit in ¶2006. He also termed the building of the barrier wall in the West Bank as a violation of international law. In his view the Israeli military action had increased popular support for Hamas. He noted a press report that quoted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as saying Fatah would be wiped out by Hamas in the next election. ¶3. (C/NF) Adams also said Hamas officials told him they would accept a two-state solution based on 1967 borders. Adams acknowledged that this was not the same thing as recognizing the State of Israel, but it did demonstrate Hamas would be willing to acknowledge Israel's existence. ¶4. (C/NF) Adams indicated he had met in March with US Special Envoy Mitchell in Washington and hoped to have an opportunity soon to brief the Special Envoy. Adams said he would give Consulate Belfast a written report on his trip in the coming week. ELLIOTT