BICOM

Prime Minister David Cameron called Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday evening.

According to a Downing Street spokesman, the call was to “discuss the latest ceasefire in Israel and Gaza and prospects for a longer term solution to the conflict.”

Mr Cameron “reiterated his support for Israel’s right to defend itself” and “emphasised that both sides would need to take the necessary but sometimes difficult steps to achieve” a ceasefire.

Mr Cameron’s support comes after the announcement earlier this week by Business Secretary Vince Cable that some arms export licenses to Israel might be suspended.

Meanwhile, sources in Israel and the USA have sought to downplay changes to the way in which US arms are provided to Israel. The White House has removed the pro forma approval and has asked to be involved in decisions regarding weapons provision. This was initially reported as the White House “blocking” arms transfers, but State Department spokesperson Marie Harf stressed that the extra level of approval was likely to make little difference to Israel.

Israeli sources have also been keen to stress that there is no damage to the US-Israel relationship. Likud MK Ze’ev Elkin, the head of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, told Israel Radio this morning that defence cooperation remained strong.