LONDON (EJP)---Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon travels to London on Sunday, the first visit of a senior Israeli official since Britain issued arrest warrants against Israeli officials in December 2009.

“This visit takes place against the backdrop of anti-Israeli sentiment among some sectors in Britain and represents an attempt to present the basic elements of current Israeli policy,” said Ashley Perry, the minister’s spokesperson.

Ayalon will meet with Simon McDonald, the British Prime Minister’s advisor on Foreign policy and defense Issues, and Minister of State for the Middle East Ivan Lewis.

At these meetings, the minister will raise the subject of the arrest warrants, boycotts of Israeli products, delegitimization of Israel and the importance of actions to prevent Iran’s nuclear development.

On Monday, he is to deliver a speech to the Oxford Union, a prestigious institution that has hosted Presidents and Prime Ministers from all over the world. 

On the same day at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a think tank, Ayalon is due to lead a public brain-storming session on Monday, 8 February, in which senior researchers, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps in London will participate.