David Cameron was today briefed by Tony Blair on the state of Middle East peace talks.
The Prime Minister was on his way to Bethlehem to meet Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in an attempt to revive negotiations.
He met former Prime Minister Mr Blair — now a United Nations special peace envoy — at the British Consulate in Jerusalem on the second day of his visit to the region.
Mr Cameron’s trip coincided with a barrage of more than 30 rockets fired from Hamas-controlled Gaza into the south of Israel.
He has urged all sides to engage with US secretary of state John Kerry’s efforts to agree a framework for a final settlement by the end of April.
Mr Cameron said last night the international community must say “ with one voice” that Palestinian statehood can only come about through negotiation and discussion, and not violence.
He has also offered UK support for business opportunities and jobs in the Palestinian territories, including £1.5 million of grants to enable 90 Palestinian companies to target foreign investors and enter new markets, and £1.5 million to provide skills training for 1,000 refugee women in Gaza.
