{"id":83707,"date":"2017-08-25T09:05:00","date_gmt":"2017-08-25T09:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=3e7681f40335f571f73b7ec9111d5aa7"},"modified":"2017-08-25T09:05:00","modified_gmt":"2017-08-25T09:05:00","slug":"press-release-minister-for-the-middle-east-visits-the-occupied-palestinian-territories-and-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=83707","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Minister for the Middle East visits the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On his first visit to the region since being re-appointed as an Foreign & Commonwealth Office Minister, Mr Burt laid a wreath at a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Gaza and heard from Gazans about current humanitarian challenges, before visiting Susiya village in Area C of the West Bank and Hebron to understand recent developments on the ground. While in Ramallah Mr Burt met with a number of representatives from the Palestinian Authority including Foreign Minister Malki and reaffirmed the UK\u2019s commitment to the working with the Palestinian leadership to achieve a two-state solution.<\/p>\n

Summary of Minister Burt\u2019s visit to the West Bank and Gaza<\/h3>\n

UK commitment to Middle East peace<\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking after his visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories Minister Burt said:<\/p>\n

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I was delighted to return to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs<\/abbr>) following my re-appointment to the Foreign Office as Minister of State for the Middle East.<\/p>\n

I came to see and hear what has changed since my last official visit in 2013 and to reaffirm the UK\u2019s strong support for a two-state solution to secure peace and prosperity for both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n

I am grateful for the hospitality and warmth shown to me across the OPTs<\/abbr>, in Gaza, Susiya, Hebron, Jerusalem and Ramallah, and for very constructive meetings with Foreign Minister Malki, Finance Minister Bishara, Education Minister Saidam and PLO<\/abbr> Chief Negotiator Erekat.<\/p>\n

The UK will continue to support efforts to improve conditions on the ground for ordinary people and to enable negotiations to resume. I look forward to working with the parties and the wider international community, including the UN and the US, to make progress in the months ahead.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Minister Burt then travelled to Jerusalem and met a number of government officials and political figures to discuss wide-ranging issues affecting the UK\u2019s relations with Israel. He emphasised the UK\u2019s strong relationship with Israel and its commitment to the Middle East Peace Process.<\/p>\n

He also attended the launch ceremony of El Al Airlines\u2019 first Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane at Ben Gurion Airport. El Al\u2019s new fleet of Dreamliners is equipped with British-made Rolls Royce engines, a result of the biggest-ever trade deal between the 2 countries, signed in 2016. Mr Burt went on to meet young tech developers and see first-hand how a London-based initiative, the free coding school Founders & Coders, is expanding to Israel through a successful branch in the city of Nazareth.<\/p>\n

Minister Burt attends the launch of El Al Airlines Dreamliner plane<\/h3>\n

UK Israel trade and tech partnership<\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking in Tel Aviv Minister Burt said:<\/p>\n

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The UK is a great friend of Israel and during this visit I have reaffirmed the UK\u2019s commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East. We will continue to work with and support those in Israel and beyond who want to achieve a viable solution.<\/p>\n

We have a longstanding relationship with Israel and I have witnessed first-hand the strength of this partnership in many areas from trade and investment to technology and innovation. This relationship will continue to grow and benefit both of our nations.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Further information<\/h2>\n