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| David Cameron to back peace talks in first Israel visit | David Cameron to back peace talks in first Israel visit |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| David Cameron is set to make his first visit to Israel on Wednesday since becoming UK prime minister. | David Cameron is set to make his first visit to Israel on Wednesday since becoming UK prime minister. |
| He will hold talks with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and is expected to back US efforts to restart talks between the Israelis and Palestinians. | He will hold talks with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and is expected to back US efforts to restart talks between the Israelis and Palestinians. |
| Also on Mr Cameron's agenda is UK-Israel trade and the conflict in Syria. He will also address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. | Also on Mr Cameron's agenda is UK-Israel trade and the conflict in Syria. He will also address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. |
| On Thursday, he will meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. | |
| Mr Cameron is expected to stick to Britain's usual lines - acknowledging Israel's security concerns but criticising settlement building in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. | Mr Cameron is expected to stick to Britain's usual lines - acknowledging Israel's security concerns but criticising settlement building in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. |
| The settlements are considered to be illegal under international law but Israel disputes this. | The settlements are considered to be illegal under international law but Israel disputes this. |
| 'Strong leadership' | 'Strong leadership' |
| Ahead of his two-day visit, Mr Cameron said peace efforts were reaching "a critical phase". | Ahead of his two-day visit, Mr Cameron said peace efforts were reaching "a critical phase". |
| He added: "I want to encourage Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas to build on the strong leadership they have shown so far and to take the final difficult steps towards peace. | He added: "I want to encourage Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas to build on the strong leadership they have shown so far and to take the final difficult steps towards peace. |
| "The prize could be great: a stable, prosperous Middle East with a sovereign and viable Palestinian State living in peace alongside a secure Israel at the heart of it. | "The prize could be great: a stable, prosperous Middle East with a sovereign and viable Palestinian State living in peace alongside a secure Israel at the heart of it. |
| "A secure future. A prosperous future. That's what we should all set our sights on." | "A secure future. A prosperous future. That's what we should all set our sights on." |
| The Conservative PM was forced to postpone a planned two-day trip to the region last month to remain in the UK to lead the emergency response to the floods. | The Conservative PM was forced to postpone a planned two-day trip to the region last month to remain in the UK to lead the emergency response to the floods. |
| He last visited Israel as opposition leader in 2009. | He last visited Israel as opposition leader in 2009. |
| He is leading a 17-strong UK business delegation, seeking to encourage links between technology and innovation sectors in the UK and Israel. | He is leading a 17-strong UK business delegation, seeking to encourage links between technology and innovation sectors in the UK and Israel. |
| 'Competitive edge' | 'Competitive edge' |
| "Our tech partnership is the strongest of any in the world and we should capitalise on this - creating more jobs back in Britain and delivering economic security for hard-working families," added Mr Cameron. | "Our tech partnership is the strongest of any in the world and we should capitalise on this - creating more jobs back in Britain and delivering economic security for hard-working families," added Mr Cameron. |
| "I've got a planeload of innovative British companies coming with me and we'll be linking them up with Israeli businesses so they can forge new partnerships that will give them a competitive edge in the global race." | "I've got a planeload of innovative British companies coming with me and we'll be linking them up with Israeli businesses so they can forge new partnerships that will give them a competitive edge in the global race." |
| He said he also wanted to see the Palestinian economy develop and that he would be detailing new UK support to help Palestinian businesses become more competitive. | He said he also wanted to see the Palestinian economy develop and that he would be detailing new UK support to help Palestinian businesses become more competitive. |
| The visit comes at a sensitive time in efforts to secure a lasting agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians. | The visit comes at a sensitive time in efforts to secure a lasting agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians. |
| The US has said it hopes to get the backing of both sides for a framework document addressing the most contentious issues around the "two-state solution" sought by the international community. | The US has said it hopes to get the backing of both sides for a framework document addressing the most contentious issues around the "two-state solution" sought by the international community. |
| Unresolved issues include: | Unresolved issues include: |
| There has been little sign of progress since July, when direct talks resumed after a three-year hiatus. | There has been little sign of progress since July, when direct talks resumed after a three-year hiatus. |
| The Palestinians suspended the last round of talks in 2010 after a 10-month partial moratorium on settlement construction expired. | |
| The European Union is Israel's largest trading partner as well as the biggest donor to the Palestinian Authority. | The European Union is Israel's largest trading partner as well as the biggest donor to the Palestinian Authority. |
| Mr Cameron has hosted both Mr Netanyahu and Mr Abbas in Downing Street since 2010. | Mr Cameron has hosted both Mr Netanyahu and Mr Abbas in Downing Street since 2010. |