Miliband calls Israel boycott a mistake

LONDON, July 7 (UPI) -- British Foreign Secretary David Miliband reportedly called an academic union's boycott of Israel a mistake at a meeting with Israel's acting president.

Dalia Itzik, speaker of the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, told Ynetnews.com her meeting with Miliband was positive. She said he raised the issue of the boycott vote by the University and College Union.

During her trip to London, Itzik also met with former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has taken on a new role as negotiator for the Quartet, and with Prince Charles, an honor usually reserved for permanent heads of state.

"Blair's goal is to help build law, government, legal and economic institutions in the region," said Itzik. "He is well-aware of the complexity of the historic conflict, but this impossible mission motivates him."