BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated David Cameron on his return to Downing Street following last week’s General Election and said that he looks forward to their continuing cooperation.

In a statement via social media, Netanyahu said, “Congratulations to David Cameron on an impressive victory and renewed mandate. I look forward to working with you on shared goals of peace and prosperity.” Cameron is regarded as a solid supporter of Israel and said during a visit to the country last year, “with me you have a British Prime Minister whose belief in Israel is unbreakable and whose commitment to Israel’s security will always be rock solid.”

The government is expected to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the UK and Israel in areas including trade, regional strategic challenges and cyber security. Cameron’s government will also continue to oppose boycotts and the delegitimisation of Israel. During its last term in office, the Conservative-led government refused to support Palestinian attempts to secure recognition as a state at the United Nations (UN) in 2012, or to support a one-sided Palestinian attempt to impose terms of reference for resolving the conflict at the UN Security Council in 2014. However, the UK’s UN ambassador said recently that the UK “sees merit” in a “resolution setting out the parameters for a peaceful and negotiated solution”, at the Security Council.

Meanwhile, the government is likely to remain critical of Israeli settlement policies. Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond, who is set to remain in post, was among 16 EU foreign ministers who signed a letter to European Union (EU) High Representative Federica Mogherini in April urging her to complete work on issuing EU wide guidelines on labelling settlement produce.

During the last parliament, the Conservatives and their Liberal Democrat coalition partners at times found themselves at odds over Israel, particularly during last summer’s Operation Protective Edge, with the Liberal Democrats typically more critical of Israel. However, there will be no such potential for coalition rifts in a Conservative majority government.