British foreign minister has been critical of continued settlement construction in W.Bank; set to meet Schalit family.
By TOVAH LAZAROFFWilliam Hague with white sides 311(photo credit: Associated Press)
UK Foreign Minister William Hague arrives in Israel on Tuesday, the first high-ranking British visitor since the David Cameron-led government took office in May.Hague, like many European officials, has been critical of the continued settlement construction in the West Bank.RELATED:British FM warns settlements undermine Israel’s securityEuropeans hail return to negotiating tableHe is likely to discuss this issue, along with other diplomatic matters, when he meets with senior Israeli officials including Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and opposition leader Tzipi Livni.Hague will also speak with members of the Schalit family, who are lobbying European leaders to pressure Hamas to release their son from captivity in Gaza.The British foreign minister will sign a cinema co-production agreement with Israel, similar to one that exists between Israel and France.Hague’s trip begins a string of visits from European foreign ministers, including Janos Martonyi of Hungary, Guido Westerwelle of Germany, Franco Frattini of Italy and Jonas Gahr Store of Norway.German President Christian Wulff is also expected to visit this month.
