David Cameron urges peace on first Israel visit as PM
David Cameron is holding talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 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.
Ahead of talks with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Cameron said a settlement between Israel and Palestine was "absolutely vital for our world".
Mr Netanyahu said the two leaders had "a lot to talk about".
On Thursday, Mr Cameron will meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Also on the agenda are the UK's trade links with Israel and the conflict in Syria.
Welcoming Mr Cameron, 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".
Mr Cameron responded: "I am here as a good friend and strong supporter of Israel.
"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.
The prime minister has also hosted Mr Abbas at Downing Street 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'"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 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:
- The borders between Israel and a future Palestinian state
- The status of Jerusalem
- Israel's insistence that it be recognised as a Jewish state
- The Palestinians' demand that their refugees be allowed to return to their former homes in what is now Israel
- Security arrangements in the West Bank.
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 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.
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