To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for UK-Israel relations of the decision by Westminster magistrates to issue an arrest warrant for Mrs Tzipi Livni. (308409)

Israel continues to be a strategic partner and a close friend of the UK. We shall continue to foster a close relationship with Israel and are determined to protect and develop these ties. Israeli leaders—like leaders from other countries—must be able to visit the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with the government of Israel concerning former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni’s proposed address to the Jewish National Fund Conference on 13 December 2009. (309028)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, and Tzipi Livni herself on 15 December 2009. He also met the Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor. During these discussions he set out his view that Israeli leaders—like leaders from other countries—must be able to visit and have a proper dialogue with the Government.

The Government are looking urgently at ways in which the UK system might be changed in order to avoid this sort of situation arising again.