By KUNA,
London : William Hague is due to make his first visit as Foreign Secretary to Israel next week, expected to include a meeting with leaders of the Palestinian territories, it was revealed here Friday.
He will not go to Gaza, although he is due to head to Cairo to meet the Egyptian government, the Jewish Chronicle newspaper reported.
Hague is no stranger to Israel, the paper said, adding that he has paid several visits, beginning in 1992, often under the aegis of the Conservative Friends of Israel group.
He has described himself as a “candid friend” and proved that in 2007 when he infamously described Israel’s military actions in Lebanon as “disproportionate,” a charge he has also leveled at its actions in Gaza, it noted.
He was also unhappy over Israeli responses to the Gaza flotilla in June, though commentators said he was not as strident as he might have been.
The visit is hosted by his counterpart, Avigdor Lieberman.
Top of the agenda for the Israelis will be universal jurisdiction, the legal impediment that has prevented Israeli leaders coming to the United Kingdom for fear of arrest.
The Conservatives made a pre-election pledge that the law would be changed and have said since they will act, but observers note that there was no announcement in the Queen’s Speech, the paper added.
Hague is likely to make the renewal of the moratorium on building in the settlements the issue on which he will press hardest.
It is understood he may meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Opposition leader Tsipi Livni.
The meetings were not confirmed at the time of going to press, the Jewish Chronicle went on.
Hague is believed to be taking several scientists with him to discuss improved scientific cooperation and bilateral relations.
The paper claimed that Britain is not even viewed as an important member of the European Union.
Israel is more interested in relations with Germany, which is building two submarines for its navy, and serves as the main negotiator for a possible prisoner swap for Gilad Shalit.
It also invests in ties with France, with its influence in Lebanon.
“Britain has no tangible assets in the region,” it alleged.