Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Israel’s Netanyahu to visit London next week for talks with May

-

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to visit London next week for talks with British counterpart Theresa May, the two governments said on Thursday.

Netanyahu's office said he would travel to London on Sunday and meet May on Monday morning before flying home later in the day.

A spokeswoman for May said the two leaders would "talk about a range of security and international issues, including the Middle East peace process."

She said the prime minister would raise Britain's concern about how the "continued increase of settlements activity undermines trust."

There has been a sharp acceleration in Israeli settlement expansion plans since US President Donald Trump took office last month, with more than 6,000 new homes announced in less than a fortnight.

British Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood warned on Wednesday that the plans made the two-state solution "much harder to achieve."

Britain voted in favour of a UN Security Council resolution passed in December demanding a halt to settlement construction. The vote prompted Israel to temporarily scale back relations.

But Britain refused to sign the final statement of a Middle East peace conference held in Paris last month that was strongly opposed by Israel.

It said it had "particular reservations" about the meeting taking place without Israeli or Palestinian representatives.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to visit London next week for talks with British counterpart Theresa May, the two governments said on Thursday.

Netanyahu’s office said he would travel to London on Sunday and meet May on Monday morning before flying home later in the day.

A spokeswoman for May said the two leaders would “talk about a range of security and international issues, including the Middle East peace process.”

She said the prime minister would raise Britain’s concern about how the “continued increase of settlements activity undermines trust.”

There has been a sharp acceleration in Israeli settlement expansion plans since US President Donald Trump took office last month, with more than 6,000 new homes announced in less than a fortnight.

British Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood warned on Wednesday that the plans made the two-state solution “much harder to achieve.”

Britain voted in favour of a UN Security Council resolution passed in December demanding a halt to settlement construction. The vote prompted Israel to temporarily scale back relations.

But Britain refused to sign the final statement of a Middle East peace conference held in Paris last month that was strongly opposed by Israel.

It said it had “particular reservations” about the meeting taking place without Israeli or Palestinian representatives.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

World

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) is paying his second visit to China in less than a year - Copyright POOL/AFP Mark SchiefelbeinShaun...

Business

Google-parent Alphabet soared with Microsoft in after-hours trade following forecast-beating earnings - Copyright GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP Drew AngererMarkets were mixed on Friday after...

Life

An expert explains why keen gamers should consider running as part of their regular routine.

World

People wave the Palestinian flag during protests in Doha after the outbreak of the Gaza war - Copyright AFP Rabih DAHERCallum PATONCriticism of Qatar...