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Johnson reiterates support for two-state solution during Israel visit
The Foreign Secretary has underscored the government’s support for Israel and a peace agreement via a two-state solution, during his visit to Israel.
Yesterday morning, Boris Johnson met Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, opposition leader and Zionist Union Chair Isaac Herzog and President Reuven Rivlin, who extended an invitation for a royal visit to Israel. Johnson was then given a briefing by the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now.
Later in the day, he travelled to Ramallah, where he met Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas and Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki, before returning to Jerusalem to meet Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Netanyahu, Johnson said that “our government are, as you know, firm, strong supporters, rock-like supporters of Israel”.
He added: “Israel has, first and foremost, an absolute right to live in security and the people of Israel deserve to be safe from terrorism. That’s our absolute priority.”
Johnson said that the government wishes to see Israel “at peace with its neighbours,” noting: “I should remind you that the policy of our government is for a two-state solution.”
Johnson’s comments come a month after US President Donald Trump indicated he is open to other solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict besides the two-state solution, during Netanyahu’s visit to Washington.
The Foreign Secretary said it is important to “remove obstacles to peace and progress, such as the settlements”. Netanyahu replied that the “root” of the problem “is not the settlements, but the persistent refusal to recognise a nation-state for the Jewish people in any boundary”.
Netanyahu and Johnson agreed on the importance of further strengthening of bilateral economic relations. Johnson the UK wanted to “build on our trading partnership with you,” especially as it builds a “global identity” outside of the European Union. Netanyahu replied that he looked forward to doing that.
Johnson later described his meeting with Netanyahu as “friendly and frank,” discussing “two-state solution, trade and concern over illegal settlements”.