The government has launched a joint initiative with Israeli and Palestinian scientists aimed at encouraging them to work together to solve health and water issues.

The programme, known as Growth, will offer fellowships to Palestinian water technology and health students, enabling them to conduct postgraduate studies in Israeli laboratories as well as to take part in UK conferences.

Liam Maxwell, the UK’s national technology advisor, announced the scheme in Tel Aviv yesterday, along with a second initiative - Stream - which will fund joint water projects between the UK, Israel and other countries in the Middle East and north Africa region.

Mr Maxwell also spoke about the potential for future UK-Israel collaboration in the technology sphere, noting that the digital sector now makes up more than 10 per cent of the UK economy, while Israel is seen as “a leader in the world technology community”.

Professor Robin Grimes, Chief Scientific Advisor at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said: “Today’s great scientific challenges take no heed of man-made borders. If we are to combat the challenges of today, we are going to need to do it together.”

Meanwhile, the Growth announcement was received enthusiastically by both Israeli and Palestinian scientists.

Professor Menahem Ben-Sasson, Hebrew University of Jerusalem president, said: “This programme not only advances science, but through it sends a message of hope and friendship, and of the importance of working together to find solutions that improve the health of our communities.”

Lena Qawasmi, a Palestinian graduate of Al Quds University in Jerusalem, said: “This programme provides access to knowledge, tools and skills, that we would otherwise not have had. I’m looking forward over the coming months to seeing the start of more partnerships like this.”