As we get ready to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, I thought it a timely moment to say that I have long admired  the fact that this period is not just about celebrating a new Jewish year and looking forward, but also about deep reflection  on the events and lessons of the past year.

It has been a year of many changes, including a new Israeli government and a new US Administration with a renewed resolve to make headway in the peace process. Unfortunately, this year also saw the bloody confrontation in Gaza and southern Israel.

Though it would be difficult to say that we are now closer to the realisation of the two-state vision than we were a year ago, what is apparent is the international community's unwavering commitment to that vision, and our continued desire and efforts to ensure that the coming year will mean more peace and security for Israel and the Palestinians. In case anyone is still unaware of why the UK and the international community share that approach, it is because we see no other way to meet the national aspirations of the two peoples involved, and indeed believe that the soundest way for Israel to achieve the secure place in the Middle East it deserves is through sustainable peace agreements with the Palestinians and its other regional neighbours.

The UK hopes that the result of the current diplomatic efforts being spearheaded by US special envoy George Mitchell will be the launch of a determined negotiating effort, shaped in a way which builds on the lessons of the past, and avoids the pitfalls which have contributed to previous failures. My country stands willing to contribute to such an effort in any way we can. We know the scale of the challenge, and the complexities of the compromises which will be required by all sides. But we also believe that the status quo is unsustainable, and that the price of continued conflict is unacceptably high, in human terms

The last year has also seen a further cementing of relations between the UK and Israel, not just through official exchanges and visits, but also when it comes to the people-to-people links. Bi-lateral trade continues to flourish, including with an increasing number of daily flights between the UK and Israel. In sports: Sir Bobby Charlton came to Israel for the British Council's Football 4 Peace project. There was also a visit to southern Israel by the Cricket 4 Peace programme and the biggest-ever British delegation to the Maccabiah games. On the cultural front, British artists included Paul McCartney and the Pet Shop Boys performed in Israel, while a unique collaboration with the Habima and Tmuna theatres saw the staging of  "A Weekend with Pinter" focusing on Harold Pinter’s distinctive contribution to world theatre. And in field of academia, we shall shortly be announcing the first round of grants under Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership (BIRAX) programme.

So please accept my very best wishes for a Shana Tovah U'Metukah. Prime Minister Brown and Foreign Secretary David Miliband have also sent their greetings for the new Jewish year.

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