Foreign Secretary meets Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel
Foreign Secretary reiterates UK support for urgent resumption of negotiations on peace process.
Foreign Secretary William Hague today held meetings in Israel as part of a regional visit that included Jordan and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Foreign Secretary met Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in West Jerusalem during which they discussed a range of issues, including the peace process, regional security concerns, specifically Iran and Syria, and the UK-Israel bilateral relationship.
Earlier in the day, Mr Hague met with Israel’s Minister for Justice and Chief Negotiator, Tzipi Lizni and later PM Netanyahu’s Peace Envoy, Yitzhak Molho.
Speaking from Israel, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
I am pleased to be back in Israel for the first time in two and a half years. At a time of great unrest in the region, there are many priorities jostling for the international community’s attention. Restarting negotiations on the Middle East peace process should remain at the very top of the agenda.
During meetings today with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Justice Minister Lizini, I reiterated the UK’s support for Secretary Kerry’s efforts to re-launch the peace process and I welcomed Prime Minister Netanyahu’s commitment to a two state solution. The UK’s position is well known, we want to see a two state solution, with a secure and universally recognised Israel living alongside a viable State of Palestine. We stand ready to assist in any way we can to help make progress to this end.
The UK and Israel are close friends and allies and I attach great importance to our bilateral relationship. Our collaboration on hi-tech and science is second to none and today we affirmed the UK and Israel’s cooperation on security issues. As a friend and ally, Britain is fully committed to Israel’s security needs.