BICOM

A forum of senior politicians and decision makers from Australia, UK and Israel will convene today and tomorrow in London in order to share perspectives on geopolitical issues and strengthen the relationship between the three countries, as part of the Australia-UK-Israel Leadership Dialogue. This evening, a gala dinner is expected to be attended by a number of dignitaries, including Middle East minister Alistair Burt, Israel’s former prime minister Ehud Olmert, Australia’s former prime minister Kevin Rudd and Israel’s Home Front Minister Avi Dichter.

UK participants joined the forum, which began as forum between Australian and Israeli leaders, for the first time In January, establishing a three-way dialogue. Participants this week will discuss topics impacting the future of Israel and the Middle East, including the Iranian nuclear programme, the aftermath of the Arab Spring, US involvement in the region and the danger of incitement as a barrier to peace. The two-day conference will begin today with a series of discussions taking place in Parliament.

Avi Dichter had previously chosen not to travel to the UK, after pro-Palestinian activists declared their intention to exploit a legal loophole to launch a private complaint of war crimes against senior Israeli officials. Last year, the UK government amended the universal jurisdiction law which had made this possible.