Professor Stephen Hawking

World famous scientist Professor Stephen Hawking is in Israel as part of an eight day visit that will see him meet with Israelis and Palestinians.

The best-selling author of A Brief History of Time is travelling across Israel as well as the Palestinian Authority as part of a promotion organised by the British Embassy to promote Britain as a partner of choice in science and technology collaboration.

Prior to leaving for Israel from his home in Cambridge, Hawking said: "I am looking forward to coming out to Israel and the Palestinian territories and excited about meeting both Israeli and Palestinian scientists."

On Sunday, Hawking met with Prime Minister Edud Olmert in Jerusalem and the two men talked about the current situation in the Middle East and the need to support moderates in the Palestinian Authority.

On Thursday, Hawking will visit Jerusalem's Hebrew University and give a lecture on “The Origins of the Universe” which will be attended by over 1000 people.