Prime Minister Theresa May told her Israeli counterpart on Monday that Britain supports the Iran nuclear deal but needs to be alert to Iran’s pattern of destabilizing behavior in the region, her spokeswoman said.
Ahead of talks with May in London, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu appealed to Britain to join new sanctions against Iran.
“The prime minister made clear that we support the nuclear deal that was agreed,” the spokeswoman told reporters, when asked whether was Britain was considering new sanctions.
“What happens now is that needs to be properly enforced, and we also need to be alert to Iran’s pattern of destabilizing activity in the region.”
The two leaders met at 10 Downing Street for talks British officials hoped would focus on boosting trade ties between the two countries once Britain leaves the European Union.
As photographers captured the start of the meeting, Netanyahu told May: “I’d like to talk to you about how we can ensure that Iran’s aggression does not go unanswered.”
US President Donald Trump, with whom May’s government wants close ties, is also a critic of the Iran deal.
His administration imposed new sanctions on more than two dozen companies and individuals after Tehran tested a ballistic missile last week.
In pointed remarks at the start of his meeting with May, Netanyahu said he wished other countries would follow the US lead.
“Iran seeks to annihilate Israel, it seeks to conquer the Middle East, it threatens Europe, it threatens the West, it threatens the world,” he said. “And it offers provocation after provocation.”
Netanyahu added: “That’s why I welcome President Trump’s assistance of new sanctions against Iran. I think other nations should follow suit, certainly responsible nations.”
Earlier, May’s spokeswoman said the premier will tell Netanyahu that continued settlement activity undermines trust in the region, on Monday.
“Of course I would expect the Middle East peace process to come up, and in that context the PM to reiterate our long-standing position ... that we see the continued increase in settlement activity undermining trust,” the spokeswoman told reporters.
“But also (to put forward) the very clear position that we have taken of needing to pursue a twin-track approach, recognizing the right of Israel to live safe from terrorism.”
Meanwhile, Israel struck a number of positions of Hamas in Gaza after a “projectile” fired from the Palestinian enclave on Monday hit a border area, the Israeli army said.
One Palestinian was injured and taken to hospital, according to medical sources in Hamas-run Gaza.
Two Hamas posts were targeted by Israeli tank fire, a Palestinian security source said, while airstrikes later hit targets in northern Gaza, sending a column of black smoke into the air, an AFP reporter said.
Separately, Israel said it started demolishing buildings at a West Bank settlement outpost evacuated last week amid clashes between settlers and security forces.
The Trump administration is perceived as sympathetic to Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land. May is under pressure to condemn Israeli settlement-building. The prime minister’s office said May would raise Britain’s longstanding concerns that the settlements undermine the peace process.
May said at the start of the meeting that “we remain committed to a two-state solution as the best way of brokering stability and peace.”
Ahead of talks with May in London, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu appealed to Britain to join new sanctions against Iran.
“The prime minister made clear that we support the nuclear deal that was agreed,” the spokeswoman told reporters, when asked whether was Britain was considering new sanctions.
“What happens now is that needs to be properly enforced, and we also need to be alert to Iran’s pattern of destabilizing activity in the region.”
The two leaders met at 10 Downing Street for talks British officials hoped would focus on boosting trade ties between the two countries once Britain leaves the European Union.
As photographers captured the start of the meeting, Netanyahu told May: “I’d like to talk to you about how we can ensure that Iran’s aggression does not go unanswered.”
US President Donald Trump, with whom May’s government wants close ties, is also a critic of the Iran deal.
His administration imposed new sanctions on more than two dozen companies and individuals after Tehran tested a ballistic missile last week.
In pointed remarks at the start of his meeting with May, Netanyahu said he wished other countries would follow the US lead.
“Iran seeks to annihilate Israel, it seeks to conquer the Middle East, it threatens Europe, it threatens the West, it threatens the world,” he said. “And it offers provocation after provocation.”
Netanyahu added: “That’s why I welcome President Trump’s assistance of new sanctions against Iran. I think other nations should follow suit, certainly responsible nations.”
Earlier, May’s spokeswoman said the premier will tell Netanyahu that continued settlement activity undermines trust in the region, on Monday.
“Of course I would expect the Middle East peace process to come up, and in that context the PM to reiterate our long-standing position ... that we see the continued increase in settlement activity undermining trust,” the spokeswoman told reporters.
“But also (to put forward) the very clear position that we have taken of needing to pursue a twin-track approach, recognizing the right of Israel to live safe from terrorism.”
Meanwhile, Israel struck a number of positions of Hamas in Gaza after a “projectile” fired from the Palestinian enclave on Monday hit a border area, the Israeli army said.
One Palestinian was injured and taken to hospital, according to medical sources in Hamas-run Gaza.
Two Hamas posts were targeted by Israeli tank fire, a Palestinian security source said, while airstrikes later hit targets in northern Gaza, sending a column of black smoke into the air, an AFP reporter said.
Separately, Israel said it started demolishing buildings at a West Bank settlement outpost evacuated last week amid clashes between settlers and security forces.
The Trump administration is perceived as sympathetic to Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land. May is under pressure to condemn Israeli settlement-building. The prime minister’s office said May would raise Britain’s longstanding concerns that the settlements undermine the peace process.
May said at the start of the meeting that “we remain committed to a two-state solution as the best way of brokering stability and peace.”
