Alistair Burt flies high on Israel trip
Middle East minister concludes visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories by celebrating launch of new fleet of El Al planes
Britain’s minister for the Middle East has concluded a three-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, on a trip that celebrated the launch of a new fleet of El Al planes powered by Rolls Royce engines.
Alistair Burt MP, who assumed office in June for his second stint at the ministry, celebrated the bilateral relationship, saying Britain was “a great friend” of Israel’s.
He also completed a “moving” trip to Gaza, visiting the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery two miles from the Mediterranean, where thousands of British soldiers lay buried after losing their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
In Israel, Burt met Minister for Regional Cooperation Tzachi Hanegbi, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Michael Oren and Yuval Rotem, director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also met Ayman Odeh, Israel’s most senior Arab politician and head of the Joint List.
Delighted to attend @EL_AL_ISRAEL event showcasing 1st #Dreamliner w/ UK’s @RollsRoyce engines. UK-Israel trade deal in action @ukinisrael pic.twitter.com/g2RzQ4mjmh
— Alistair Burt (@AlistairBurtUK) August 23, 2017
At Ben-Gurion Airport, Burt attended the launch ceremony of El Al’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane [pictured, above], made with British-made Rolls Royce engines – a result of the biggest trade deal between the two countries, signed in 2016.
He said: “During this visit I reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East. We will continue to support those in Israel and beyond who want to achieve a viable solution.”
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- A newEl Al new aircraft, Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Ben Gurion International Airport, Photo by: Nimrod Glikman – JINIPIX
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- El Al Boeing 787 Dreamliner arrives for a welcome ceremony after his landing at Ben Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv on August 23, 2017. Photo by: Nimrod Glikman – JINIPIX
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- El Al new aircraft, Boeing 787 Dreamliner arrives for a welcome ceremony after his landing at Ben Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv on August 23, 2017. Photo by: Nimrod Glikman – JINIPIX
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- El Al new aircraft, Boeing 787 Dreamliner arrives for a welcome ceremony after his landing at Ben Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv on August 23, 2017. Photo by: Nimrod Glikman – JINIPIX
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- El Al new aircraft, Boeing 787 Dreamliner arrives for a welcome ceremony after his landing at Ben Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv on August 23, 2017. Photo by: Nimrod Glikman – JINIPIX
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- El Al’s new aircraft, Boeing 787 Dreamliner arrives for a welcome ceremony after landing at Ben Gurion International Airport.
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