Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories this week, where he will press for renewed dialogue on a two-state solution and commit to tackling threats to regional security, including from Iran.
During the two-day visit, the Mr Cleverly will meet with senior figures in both Israel and OPTs, including Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, to encourage dialogue and cooperation to end the cycle of violence.
Mr Cleverly is also set to give a speech at an international security conference focusing on the security challenges facing Israel, the OPTs and the region. He will stress the UK’s support for a viable two-state solution as the only way to bring about security, stability and prosperity for Israelis, Palestinians and the wider region.
According to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Mr Cleverly will commit to working with Israel to counter Iran’s destabilising activity and visit Israel’s state of the art ‘Iron Dome’ missile defence system. In the Occupied Palestinian Territories, he will visit Jalazone Refugee Camp in the West Bank to see first-hand the impact of international support to Palestinian refugees.
Mr Cleverly commented:
"The UK and Israel work closely together to keep our people safe. I’ll be using my first visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories as Foreign Secretary to renew our close security partnership, in the face of unacceptable threats from the Iranian regime.
A two-state solution between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories is the only way to bring about security, stability and prosperity for Israelis, Palestinians and the wider region. I’ll be making clear that all parties must take steps advance this cause."