Dominic Raab arrives in Israel for talks with leaders

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has flown to Israel for talks with senior leaders following the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians.

The minister will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah during his one-day visit.

Ahead of boarding his flight to Israel Mr Raab said: “The UK welcomes the ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.

“It is crucial that all sides now focus on ensuring it can last.

“The events of the last month demonstrate the urgent need to make genuine progress towards a more positive future for both Israelis and Palestinians and breaks cycle of violence that has claimed so many lives.

“The UK supports a two-state solution as the best way to deliver a lasting peace.”

Raab will also meet Israeli Foreign and Defence Ministers, Gabi Ashkenazi and Benny Gantz, as well as Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and Foreign Minister Riad Malki.

The Foreign Secretary tweeted ahead of his arrival in Israel:””I will meet with both senior leaders here and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories on how to make the recent ceasefire lasts.

“We must end the cycle of violence and make progress towards a lasting peace.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel on Tuesday – and late last week three EU ministers visited soon after the ceasefire with Hamas was confirmed.

The UK government has said it remains committed to the two-state solution as the best way to permanently end the occupation and deliver Palestinian self-determination as well as preserving Israel’s Jewish and democratic identity.