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David Cameron urges peace on first Israel visit as PM Prime minister's belief in Israel 'unbreakable'
(about 2 hours later)
David Cameron has spoken of the need for a Middle East peace deal as he visited Israel for the first time since becoming prime minister. David Cameron has said his belief in Israel is "unbreakable" while urging the country's politicians to pursue a deal with Palestinians to bring "an end of all conflict".
Ahead of talks with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Cameron said a settlement between Israel and Palestine was "absolutely vital for our world". He told Israelis to imagine "what this land would be like if a two-state solution was actually achieved".
Mr Netanyahu said the two leaders had "a lot to talk about". In his first visit to the country as prime minister, Mr Cameron also rejected calls for boycotts of Israel.
On Thursday, Mr Cameron will meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He will meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday.
Also on the agenda are the UK's trade links with Israel and the conflict in Syria. Mr Cameron was given a standing ovation as he rose to speak to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, and joked that it was the "wrong place" to have come if he was looking for a quiet alternative to Prime Minister's Questions, given that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu had been heckled during his opening speech.
Welcoming Mr Cameron, Mr Netanyahu said: "We are two robust democracies, technological societies that I believe can seize the future by co-operating together". 'Fully supports' US
Mr Cameron said he felt "some sense of connection" to Israel due to his "relatively limited" Jewish ancestry.
He said: "We all yearn for a lasting and secure peace between Israel and its neighbours.
"Britain fully supports the great work that American Secretary of State John Kerry has been leading. And we believe that in Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas you have leaders who want peace too.
"We back the compromises needed - including the halt to settlement activity and an end to Palestinian incitement too.
"And we recognise the difficult and courageous decisions both sides are taking, not least with Prime Minister Netanyahu's decision to release terrorist prisoners, with all the anguish that can bring for affected families."
As he pushed Israeli MPs to work for a peaceful future, he said the message from Britain was "simply this: we'll be with you every step of the way".
He said he wanted to encourage Israelis to focus on imagining "what this land would be like if a two-state solution was actually achieved".
"Imagine Israel - like any other democratic nation - finally treated fairly and normally by all," he added.
He said that peace would not only bring security, but also deliver "extraordinary" economic benefits for the Israeli and Palestinians by enabling them to work together and forge international trade and business links.
He also rejected calls for boycotts of Israel,
"Britain opposes boycotts. Whether it's trade unions campaigning for the exclusion of Israelis or universities trying to stifle academic exchange, Israel's place as a homeland for the Jewish people will never rest on hollow resolutions passed by amateur politicians.
"It is your destiny. Delegitimising the state of Israel is wrong. It's abhorrent. And together we will defeat it."
Ahead of Mr Cameron's speech, Mr Netanyahu said: "We are two robust democracies, technological societies that I believe can seize the future by co-operating together."
He spoke of the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and achieve a "secure and enduring peace between Israel and the Palestinians".He spoke of the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and achieve a "secure and enduring peace between Israel and the Palestinians".
Mr Cameron responded: "I am here as a good friend and strong supporter of Israel. Mr Cameron was forced to postpone a planned two-day trip to the region last month to remain in the UK to lead the emergency response to the floods.
"Under my prime ministership, I think we have seen the British-Israeli relationship go from strength to strength and I am committed to strengthening that relationship still further."
He said the "danger and threat" of a nuclear-armed Iran had to be avoided.
Speaking shortly after arriving in Tel Aviv, Mr Cameron said: "I think actually getting a peace settlement between Israel and Palestine is absolutely vital for our world.
"The two-state solution is the right answer, so I am here to do everything I can to persuade Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas to take the bold and courageous decisions to bring that two-state solution to pass.
"I also want to deepen the relationship between Britain and Israel. Britain is a great friend to Israel, we have very strong trading links, very strong technology links and I want to see that grow."
The PM was forced to postpone a planned two-day trip to the region last month to remain in the UK to lead the emergency response to the floods.
He last visited Israel as opposition leader in 2009.He last visited Israel as opposition leader in 2009.
He is leading a 17-strong UK business delegation, seeking to encourage links between technology and innovation sectors in the UK and Israel.He is leading a 17-strong UK business delegation, seeking to encourage links between technology and innovation sectors in the UK and Israel.
'Competitive edge''Competitive edge'
"Our tech partnership is the strongest of any in the world and we should capitalise on this - creating more jobs back in Britain and delivering economic security for hard-working families," added Mr Cameron.
"I've got a planeload of innovative British companies coming with me and we'll be linking them up with Israeli businesses so they can forge new partnerships that will give them a competitive edge in the global race."
He said he also wanted to see the Palestinian economy develop and that he would be detailing new UK support to help Palestinian businesses become more competitive.
The visit comes at a sensitive time in efforts to secure a lasting agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians.The visit comes at a sensitive time in efforts to secure a lasting agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians.
The US has said it hopes to get the backing of both sides for a framework document addressing the most contentious issues around the "two-state solution" sought by the international community.The US has said it hopes to get the backing of both sides for a framework document addressing the most contentious issues around the "two-state solution" sought by the international community.
Unresolved issues include:Unresolved issues include:
There has been little sign of progress since July, when direct talks resumed after a three-year hiatus.There has been little sign of progress since July, when direct talks resumed after a three-year hiatus.
The Palestinians suspended the last round of talks in 2010 after a 10-month partial moratorium on settlement construction expired.The Palestinians suspended the last round of talks in 2010 after a 10-month partial moratorium on settlement construction expired.
The European Union is Israel's largest trading partner as well as the biggest donor to the Palestinian Authority.The European Union is Israel's largest trading partner as well as the biggest donor to the Palestinian Authority.
Mr Cameron has hosted both Mr Netanyahu and Mr Abbas in Downing Street since 2010.Mr Cameron has hosted both Mr Netanyahu and Mr Abbas in Downing Street since 2010.