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PM to warn Iran in Knesset speech | PM to warn Iran in Knesset speech |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Britain is determined to prevent Iran developing nuclear arms, Gordon Brown is due to tell the Israeli parliament. | Britain is determined to prevent Iran developing nuclear arms, Gordon Brown is due to tell the Israeli parliament. |
In the first speech to the Knesset by a UK PM, he will call Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's call for Israel "to be wiped off the map" abhorrent. | |
Tehran must abandon its nuclear programme, he will say, or face "growing isolation" - a hint that further sanctions could be considered. | Tehran must abandon its nuclear programme, he will say, or face "growing isolation" - a hint that further sanctions could be considered. |
He will also vow to stand beside Israel in its "fight for liberty". | He will also vow to stand beside Israel in its "fight for liberty". |
'Live freely' | 'Live freely' |
Mr Brown's speech will come at the end of his three-day tour of the Middle East. | Mr Brown's speech will come at the end of his three-day tour of the Middle East. |
In a message likely to go down well with his hosts, he will insist that the UK, the European Union and the United States are determined to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon - Israel's key strategic fear. | In a message likely to go down well with his hosts, he will insist that the UK, the European Union and the United States are determined to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon - Israel's key strategic fear. |
His expression of support for Israel comes a day after he and the country's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, voiced differing views over settlements in Palestinian territories. | His expression of support for Israel comes a day after he and the country's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, voiced differing views over settlements in Palestinian territories. |
But Mr Brown will talk of his father's "lifelong affection" for Israel, adding: "For the whole of my life, I have counted myself a friend of your country." | But Mr Brown will talk of his father's "lifelong affection" for Israel, adding: "For the whole of my life, I have counted myself a friend of your country." |
He will say: "To those who question Israel's very right to exist, and threaten the lives of its citizens through terror, we say: the people of Israel have a right to live here, to live freely and to live in security. | He will say: "To those who question Israel's very right to exist, and threaten the lives of its citizens through terror, we say: the people of Israel have a right to live here, to live freely and to live in security. |
"And to those who believe that threatening statements fall upon deaf ears we say in one voice - that it is totally abhorrent for the president of Iran to call for Israel to be wiped from the map of the world." | "And to those who believe that threatening statements fall upon deaf ears we say in one voice - that it is totally abhorrent for the president of Iran to call for Israel to be wiped from the map of the world." |
Mr Brown's spokesman said that in the event of further sanctions, the focus was likely to be the Islamic republic's energy resources. | Mr Brown's spokesman said that in the event of further sanctions, the focus was likely to be the Islamic republic's energy resources. |
In particular, Tehran could be blocked from accessing equipment for its oil refineries. | In particular, Tehran could be blocked from accessing equipment for its oil refineries. |
Before his Knesset speech, Mr Brown is expected to meet the Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. | Before his Knesset speech, Mr Brown is expected to meet the Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. |
On the previous day he criticised Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which he said caused "suffering" among Palestinians and blocked the path to peace. | On the previous day he criticised Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which he said caused "suffering" among Palestinians and blocked the path to peace. |
But he also insisted that suicide bombings and rocket attacks against Israel must end. | But he also insisted that suicide bombings and rocket attacks against Israel must end. |
As well as Mr Olmert, Mr Brown met Israeli President Shimon Peres, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on his first visit to Jerusalem as premier. | As well as Mr Olmert, Mr Brown met Israeli President Shimon Peres, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on his first visit to Jerusalem as premier. |
He also visited Jerusalem's Holocaust memorial and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. | He also visited Jerusalem's Holocaust memorial and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. |