British Prime Minister David Cameron expressed concern with the current stalemate in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, during a meeting this week in London with visiting Israeli President Shimon Peres.
During their meeting at 10 Downing Street, Peres told Cameron that Israel is interested in breaking the stalemate and advancing negotiations with the Palestinians.
He said: “Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his support and commitment to the principal of two states for two peoples and I believe that specifically now is a critical time to return to negotiations."
The two discussed the impact of the recent events in the Middle East on the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.
Peres said that Israel supports the desire for democracy and stability of all the nations in the Middle East.
"I understand Israel's concerns, yet the developments in the Middle East present a real opportunity for peace with the Palestinians,” Cameron said, emphasizing that Britain sees itself as a true friend of Israel.
Earlier the President addressed an event marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Britain at Chatham House. A small group of demonstrators gathered outside the institute and held signs calling Peres a "war criminal."
The event was attended by senior members of the government, ambassadors, academics, and members of the British and International media including representatives from Middle Eastern media outlets.
In his speech, Britain's Foreign Minister William Hague said an interim solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not the best way forward.
Hague called on the US and the Quartet “to set out clear principles on this basis as soon as possible, and on both sides to resume negotiations to address final status issues.”
He also reiterated the British government's opposition to Israeli settlement expansion, calling it an obstacle to real peace.
Britain, he said, remains absolutely committed to protecting Israel's security and preventing anti-Semitism and extremism from having an impact on Britain’s Jewish community.
On Wednesday evening, Peres represented Israel at the 80th birthday event celebration of Mikhail Gorbachev in the British capital. "Under his watch, unprecedented numbers of Soviet Jewry were freed and allowed to return to their old homeland. This became the largest exodus since the one from Egypt. I extend to you my people's gratitude,” Peres said of the former Soviet president.