Reeve met Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom

The actor, who is largely paralysed from the neck down after a riding accident in 1995, arrived on Monday.

He met Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom and will also meet injured Israelis, including victims of suicide bombs.

Israel is one of the world's leading nations for spinal injury treatment and stem-cell research.

"There are many people who are suffering, but there are also many who are healing," Reeve said.

'Urgent'

"Some of the best research and science in the world is happening in Israel, and also some of the best care for patients is happening here."

But he also campaigned for research to be stepped up.

"It's important that scientists realise the sense of urgency, that every day counts for patients," he said.

"There have been many times when things were thought to be impossible, and now it's routine."

'Courageous'

Mr Shalom described Reeve as a "hero".

"I would like to thank you really that you have the time to meet with those courageous patients, that among them we have survivors of terrorist attacks," he said.

Reeve, 50, defied expectations earlier this year when he recovered some feeling in his body.

He is now chairman of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation and travels widely to give motivational talks.