Cherie Blair has offered to host a charity event at Downing Street for Israeli victims of terrorism, it is reported.

The prime minister's wife came under attack last month after saying young Palestinians felt they had "no hope but to blow themselves up" shortly after a suicide bomb attack in which a number of Israelis died.

She apologised after protests from the Jewish community in the UK, Israeli diplomats and Conservative politicians, saying no offence was intended and she condemned the atrocity.

But after her comments, the One Family Organisation which supports victims of violence in Israel, invited her to meet a Jewish victim.

The One Family charity helps Israeli terror victims

Although that invitation was turned down, the charity said it was delighted to hear from Downing Street that Mrs Blair wanted to support its work and host a private evening at Number 10.

Naomi Nevies, the co-chair of the British arm of the One Family Organisation said victims of attacks would be present at the Downing Street reception.

She said it was not important whether Mrs Blair's decision to host the event was a result of the anger over her comments about suicide bombers.

She said: "I don't know why she decided to do it, and that really isn't the issue for us.

Support

"We are definitely intending that she meets victims of terrorism at the event and hears their side of the story. That is the important thing for us."

She said the reception was expected take place later this year or early in 2003.

Downing Street said Mrs Blair hosts on average one reception a week, and this is not the first time Mrs Blair has supported a Jewish organisation.

Last year she hosted a reception for the Holocaust Memorial Trust, and other receptions are also planned.

Mrs Blair made her controversial remarks when she was with Queen Rania of Jordan to launch an internet appeal to provide medical help and food for people caught up in the Middle East violence.

'Desperate'

Map - a British charity - helps Palestinians in refugee camps and other areas where they say living standards have declined due to Israeli closures and travel restrictions.

Since entering 10 Downing Street with her husband in 1997 Mrs Blair has campaigned on a number of issues including breast cancer, employment rights and the plight of women under the Taleban.

A successful lawyer in her own right, Mrs Blair has tried hard in the past to avoid playing any political role.

But since making her controversial comments there have been calls for the role of the prime minister's spouse to be defined more clearly.

One Family was initially established in Israel and America 18 months ago. The British arm was recently set up by a group of friends "desperate to do something for Israel".