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Brown addresses Israel Parliament Brown addresses Israel Parliament
(10 minutes later)
Britain is determined to prevent Iran developing nuclear arms, Gordon Brown is set to say as he addresses the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. Britain is determined to prevent Iran developing nuclear arms, Gordon Brown has warned as he addresses the Israeli parliament, the Knesset.
He is expected to say Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's call for Israel "to be wiped off the map" is abhorrent. He said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's call for Israel "to be wiped off the map" was 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 or face "growing isolation" - a hint that further sanctions could be considered.
He is also set to vow to stand beside Israel in its "fight for liberty".He is also set to vow to stand beside Israel in its "fight for liberty".
'Lifelong affection''Lifelong affection'
Mr Brown's speech, the first speech to the Knesset by a British prime minister, marks the end of his three-day tour of the Middle East.Mr Brown's speech, the first speech to the Knesset by a British prime minister, marks the end of his three-day tour of the Middle East.
In a message likely to go down well with his hosts, he is set to 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 insisted that the UK, the European Union and the United States were determined to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon - Israel's key strategic fear.
He says Iran must suspend its nuclear programme or face growing isolation - the clear implication being that further sanctions will be considered.
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, referring to his father's "lifelong affection" for Israel, was expected to say: "For the whole of my life, I have counted myself a friend of your country." But Mr Brown, referring to his father's "lifelong affection" for Israel, said: "For the whole of my life, I have counted myself a friend as a friend of Israel."
Oil refineriesOil refineries
He said the nation's accomplishments over the last 2,000 years have been "monumental" and Israel's partnership was "strong and getting stronger".
"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," he will say.
"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."
In 2004, the Iranian president made a statement in which he called for an end to the Israeli state, envisaging its replacement with a Palestinian and Islamic state. He has also described the Holocaust as a myth.In 2004, the Iranian president made a statement in which he called for an end to the Israeli state, envisaging its replacement with a Palestinian and Islamic state. He has also described the Holocaust as a myth.
Mr Brown's spokesman said that in the event of further sanctions, the focus was likely to be on Iran's energy resources.Mr Brown's spokesman said that in the event of further sanctions, the focus was likely to be on Iran'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 met the Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.Before his Knesset speech, Mr Brown met the Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
On Sunday he criticised Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which he said caused "suffering" among Palestinians and blocked the path to peace.On Sunday 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.