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Brown in £30m Palestinian pledge Brown in £30m Palestinian pledge
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has announced £30m of additional support for the Palestinian Authority as part of financial backing for development in the territories. Gordon Brown has announced £30m (38m euros; $60m) of additional financial support for the Palestinian Authority (PA), on a visit to the West bank.
He has held talks with Israeli president Shimon Peres and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas after flying into Tel Aviv for two days of talks. The prime minister also promised further support in training the Palestinian police, after talks with PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
At a Bethlehem press conference with Mr Abbas, the prime minister also pledged to help train Palestinian police. Mr Brown met Mr Abbas in Bethlehem after talks in Tel Aviv with Israeli President Shimon Peres.
The trip follows an earlier visit by the prime minister to Iraq. The trip follows an earlier visit by Mr Brown to Iraq.
The money pledged by the prime minister is part of ongoing financial backing for economic and social development in the territories.The money pledged by the prime minister is part of ongoing financial backing for economic and social development in the territories.
Mr Brown also said he will host an investment conference in London.Mr Brown also said he will host an investment conference in London.
The prime minister said the security wall erected by Israel along its border with the West Bank was "graphic evidence of the urgent need for justice for the Palestinian people" and an end to the occupation of Palestinian land. The prime minister said the West Bank barrier erected by Israel was "graphic evidence of the urgent need for justice for the Palestinian people" and an end to the occupation of Palestinian land.
'Respected leader''Respected leader'
However, he emphasised that progress will largely depend on establishing an end to violence and a resolution to disagreements over Israeli settlements in the West Bank.However, he emphasised that progress will largely depend on establishing an end to violence and a resolution to disagreements over Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
He said that, as a child, he had learned about Bethlehem from the Bible as "a symbol of peace and a symbol of hope".He said that, as a child, he had learned about Bethlehem from the Bible as "a symbol of peace and a symbol of hope".
"Today, the wall here is graphic evidence of the urgent need for justice for the Palestinian people and an end to the occupation and the need for a viable Palestinian state," he said."Today, the wall here is graphic evidence of the urgent need for justice for the Palestinian people and an end to the occupation and the need for a viable Palestinian state," he said.
The prime minister's schedule also includes an address to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Monday - the first by a British head of government.The prime minister's schedule also includes an address to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Monday - the first by a British head of government.
Mr Brown began his visit by laying a wreath at Jerusalem's Holocaust museum.Gordon Brown was praised for maintaining his religious beliefsMr Brown began his visit by laying a wreath at Jerusalem's Holocaust museum.Gordon Brown was praised for maintaining his religious beliefs
Afterwards he said: "Nothing prepares you for what we see here.Afterwards he said: "Nothing prepares you for what we see here.
"This is the story of the atrocities that should have been prevented, the killings that should never have happened, the truth that everybody who loves humanity should know.""This is the story of the atrocities that should have been prevented, the killings that should never have happened, the truth that everybody who loves humanity should know."
He said he was committed to enabling pupils from every school to go on trips to Auschwitz to learn about what happened there.He said he was committed to enabling pupils from every school to go on trips to Auschwitz to learn about what happened there.
Mr Peres said it was "a real pleasure" to welcome Mr Brown, calling him "one of the most respected leaders of our time".Mr Peres said it was "a real pleasure" to welcome Mr Brown, calling him "one of the most respected leaders of our time".
He also praised the British prime minister for his religious beliefs, voicing admiration that Mr Brown had been an economist for so long and also remained a "sincere believer".He also praised the British prime minister for his religious beliefs, voicing admiration that Mr Brown had been an economist for so long and also remained a "sincere believer".
During his trip, Mr Brown will stay at the King David Hotel - the British headquarters in colonial times.During his trip, Mr Brown will stay at the King David Hotel - the British headquarters in colonial times.
The visit to Israel is Mr Brown's first since taking over as prime minister a year ago.The visit to Israel is Mr Brown's first since taking over as prime minister a year ago.
'Huge progress''Huge progress'
He visited Iraq on Friday for talks with Prime Minister Nouri Maliki before moving on to see British troops stationed in the south of the country.He visited Iraq on Friday for talks with Prime Minister Nouri Maliki before moving on to see British troops stationed in the south of the country.
The visit was made ahead of a statement next week on Britain's involvement there.The visit was made ahead of a statement next week on Britain's involvement there.
Mr Brown said that although "huge progress" had been made he would not set an "artificial timetable" for reducing troop numbers.Mr Brown said that although "huge progress" had been made he would not set an "artificial timetable" for reducing troop numbers.
Plans to halve UK troop numbers to 2,500 by spring were delayed due to violence in Basra at the end of March.Plans to halve UK troop numbers to 2,500 by spring were delayed due to violence in Basra at the end of March.
Numbers had been reduced from 5,000 to 4,000 between October 2007 and early April.Numbers had been reduced from 5,000 to 4,000 between October 2007 and early April.
Mr Brown praised the professionalism and courage of British troops at Basra Air Station and told them their work would make a huge difference to the country in the long term.Mr Brown praised the professionalism and courage of British troops at Basra Air Station and told them their work would make a huge difference to the country in the long term.