BICOM

Middle East Minister Alistair Burt advised British citizens not to participate in the flotilla attempting to sail to Gaza, during a press conference with Israeli journalists on Tuesday. Burt said, “There are recognized ways to get humanitarian aid into Gaza which is supported by the Israeli authorities and the UN, and anyone looking to make a humanitarian contribution should do just that.” He was speaking during a short visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

Answering questions about the Palestinian attempt to gain recognition at the UN in September, he said Britain could not say how it would vote, given that no resolution has yet been tabled. However, he stressed that the focus should be on trying to create the conditions for a negotiated solution, as opposed to ‘chasing around looking for people either to sign a resolution or not sign one.’

Before meeting journalists he visited the Gaza Strip, where he met with UN officials. The minister met this morning with Noam Shalit, the father of captive Israeli soldier Gilad, who has been held for the past five years by Hamas in Gaza. He will today meet with senior Israeli foreign ministry officials, and tomorrow with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and other Palestinian officials.

As well as promoting a return to peace talks, Burt is using his visit to promote bilateral cooperation between Britain and Israel, particularly in the field of hi-tech research and development. He will today visit a hi-tech incubator at Israel’s Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Israel is a world leader in medical technology.