UK’s May: Netanyahu and I have ‘differences of opinion’ on Iran deal
British PM says country committed to nuclear pact as long as Tehran is, expresses concern over Gaza deaths; Netanyahu highlights kite arson damage
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday met with his British counterpart Theresa May, with the UK premier conceding “differences of opinion” regarding the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which the Israeli leader is trying to convince Europe to scrap.
May said the UK will remain committed to the nuclear deal as long as Iran is, while recognizing her disagreement with Netanyahu on the issue.
She also acknowledged London’s concern over Tehran’s ballistic missile activities.
Netanyahu met with May as part of his European tour, aiming to rally support from allies against the Iran nuclear deal and to help push Iranian forces out of Syria.
However, tensions with Gaza have also became a major theme of his talks with European leaders.
May expressed concern regarding the dozens of Palestinians killed by Israeli troops during violent protests on the Gaza border over the past several months.
“We have been concerned about the loss of Palestinian lives,” she said.
The UK prime minister said Britain “absolutely recognizes” Israel’s right to defend itself against “extremists and terrorists.”
“But with 100 Palestinian lives lost and a deteriorating situation in Gaza I hope we can talk about how we can alleviate that situation and how we can ensure that we can get back to a position where we are able to find a way through to talk about a two-state solution,” she added.
Speaking to reporters at a joint press conference ahead of their bilateral meeting in London, Netanyahu told May the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip stems from the Hamas terrorist group’s desire to destroy Israel, adding that Israel was doing everything it could to minimize casualties.
“As far as Gaza is concerned, I think the problems there are rooted in the fundamental goal of Hamas to destroy Israel. We’re not witnessing peaceful protests. In addition to burning our fields, these people are being paid for and pushed by Hamas to try to break into Israel’s defenses, kill as many Israelis as they can, right next to our border, and kidnap our soldiers,” said Netanyahu.
“This is not a non-violent protest; quite the contrary,” added Netanyahu. “We are doing everything we can to both minimize casualties, and at the same time protect Israeli lives.”
Netanyahu highlighted the dozens of Israeli fields alongside the coastal enclave that have been torched by incendiary kites sent by Palestinians, in addition to the diverting of humanitarian aid by Hamas for the construction of terror tunnels into Israel.
On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “condemnation of any form of violence toward civilians and in particular, these past few weeks in Gaza,” during his meeting with Netanyahu.
On Monday, Netanyahu said he discussed alleviating Gaza’s humanitarian situation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He said the the weekly protests on the border are a symptom of the ruling Hamas terror group having failed to pull the enclave out of a dire situation which has left millions without electricity or clean water.
Over 110 Gazans have been killed in border protests since March 30, including over 60 on May 14, the day the US moved its embassy. Hamas said 50 of the May 14 fatalities were its members. May 14 was also the eve of “Nakba Day,” when the Palestinians mark what they call the “catastrophe” that befell them with the establishment of Israel.
Israel says its forces have opened fire to stop attempts to harm soldiers, damage the fence and infiltrate Israel in a bid to carry out attacks. Israel accuses Hamas, a terror group which seeks Israel’s destruction, of using the protests as cover for violence.
At least half of those killed since the protests began in March have been identified as members of Hamas or other terror groups.
Agencies contributed to this report.
