Liberal Democrats host rare seminar between Israeli and Palestinian politicians

11.05.31am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 14th Sep 2005

Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake and former speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Lord Alderdice are hosting a seminar, sponsored by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, between Israeli and Palestinian politicians from today until 15th September in Belfast.

The seminar hopes to create an opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian politicians to learn from each others' experiences of democracy in general, and with specific reference to the pressures on democratic institutions during times of conflict, to strengthen the role of women in the Israeli - Palestinian dialogue, democratic institutions, parliamentary representation and processes dedicated to peace and to help delegates to identify new initiatives that could help sustain dialogue as well as promote democracy and peace.

Tom Brake MP said "The Israeli and Palestinian politicians who come to Belfast know that a just and lasting peace can only be found through working on a political solution to the conflict. This seminar is a small contribution to the peace that we all hope will prevail in the Middle East."