The Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon, is today expected to urge the British Prime Minister to cut ties with Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat.
Israel claims the move will help reformist Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas pursue peace.
"Any contact with Arafat weakens Abbas," said a senior Israeli official on Mr Sharon's flight to London, adding the issue would be "raised in all its gravity".
Mr Sharon is visiting Britain and Norway this week to highlight an internationally backed Middle East peace, the "road map", he and Mr Abbas signed at a June 4th summit in Jordan.
Mr Blair will host a private dinner for Mr Sharon today, their first meeting in 13 months; it indicates a series of disputes about peacemaking are over, Israel says. Mr Sharon will also meet British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.With US backing, Israel has isolated Mr Arafat in the West Bank city of Ramallah, accusing him of fomenting violence in a 33-month-old Palestinian revolt for statehood. Mr Arafat denies the allegations.
Palestinian officials say Mr Arafat is trying to weaken Mr Abbas, viewing him as too soft on Israel over reciprocal measures required by the peace plan.
Mr Abbas, who has come under pressure following Israel's refusal to release political prisoners, has called on Israel to ease restrictions on Yasser Arafat saying he mustbe allowed "to travel wherever he wants, whenever he wants".