Sinking ship? Israeli invests in UK! Is Boycott working?

Israelis are increasing their investments in the UK, topping Russia, Hong Kong, Greece and South Africa in the number of companies setting up operations there

The news, comes against the backdrop of recent threats from UNISON, the UK's largest trade union and UCU, the university lecturers' union, to boycott Israel for occupying Palestinian land.

"For the fourth consecutive year, the UK has attracted a record number of investment successes, maintaining its position as the largest recipient of foreign direct investment in Europe and second only to the US world-wide,"

12 Israeli companies set up operations in the UK, creating 147 new jobs in 2006/2007.

The report added that Israel was the UK's 29th largest export market and was becoming increasingly attractive to UK businesses. Companies including HSBC, British Gas and Rolls Royce invested $13.2 billion in Israel last year, up from $5.6b. in 2005.

the UK recorded its highest number of inward investment projects to date, which rose 17

Only last month, the Israel - Britain Chamber of Commerce and had to cancel and postpone indefinitely the seminar "Putting Your Business in the UK," because of a lack of a sufficient number of participants. "We decided to postpone the conference as we were not happy with the registration of participants,"