Foreign Secretary meets Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel
William Hague reiterates UK support for efforts to make progress on peace process
Foreign Secretary William Hague and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo by Mati Milstein.
Foreign Secretary William Hague yesterday 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 where they discussed a range of issues, including the peace process, regional security concerns, specifically Iran and Syria, and the UK-Israel bilateral relationship. Mr Hague also met with Israel’s Minister for Justice and Chief Negotiator, Tzipi Livni and later PM Netanyahu’s peace envoy, Yitzhak Molho. He will meet with President Peres today.
Speaking from Israel, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
I am pleased to be back in Israel. Making progress on the Middle East peace process is at the very top of my agenda and it should be an urgent priority for the international community as a whole.
During meetings yesterday, including with Prime Minister Netanyahu, I reiterated the UK’s strong 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, with Jerusalem as a shared capital. 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, including Iran. As a friend and ally, Britain is fully committed to Israel’s security needs.
Further information
Read about the UK’s support for the MIddle East Peace Process
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