Press release: PM meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu: 2 November 2017

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Downing Street earlier today.

The Prime Minister said the UK is proud of the role that we played in the creation of the state of Israel and we mark the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration today with pride and respect.

She noted that the relationship and friendship between the UK and Israel has continued to grow over many years and we are firmly committed to continuing to deepen it across many areas, including trade and investment, science, innovation, technology, and our very close defence and security cooperation, particularly in the fields of counter-terrorism and cyber security.

They discussed Iran, where the Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s continued strong support for the JCPOA nuclear deal and the view that we share with our E3 (French and German) partners that it is critical for regional security.

They agreed it was vital that the deal is properly enforced, and that the international community needs to work together to counter Iran’s destabilising activity in the region, including its support for Hizbollah in Syria and Lebanon.

They discussed Syria and Iraq, with the Prime Minister reinforcing the need to defeat Daesh in both countries, and the importance of achieving political settlements to bolster regional security and stability.

They also discussed the Middle East Peace Process, where the Prime Minister made clear that the UK continues to support a two-state solution as the best means of achieving lasting peace, with an Israel that is safe from terrorism and a Palestinian state that is viable and sovereign.

They discussed the need to overcome obstacles to peace, with the Prime Minister noting our grave concerns about illegal settlements.

The Prime Ministers also discussed the fact settlements are not the only obstacle and that the people of Israel deserve to live free from the scourge of terrorism and anti-Semitic incitement.