‘Britain is a good friend of Israel and our support for Israel and Israel’s security is something I have described in the past and will do so again as unshakeable.　We are strong friends of Israel,” said British Prime Minister David Cameron when his Israeli counterpart at 10 Downing Street in London on Wednesday.
But according to the British press, Britain is prepared to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September unless Israel opens peace talks with the Palestinians.
"Our clear preference is for a negotiated settlement where everyone can endorse a two state solution," a senior Downing Street source said.
“But if there is no agreement to enter talks that could force the issue. The best way for the Israelis to avoid a unilateral declaration is to engage in peace talks,” the source added.
The two Prime Ministers met while rival Palestinian factions, Fatah and the Islamist Hamas signed Wednesday an agreement to form a Palestinian unity government.
In 2007, Hamas ousted Fatah from Gaza in a bloody coup that left more than 400 Fatah supporters dead.
Netanyahu believes that a Palestinian government that is aligned with Hamas, an organization dedicated to Israel’s destruction, is a threat to Israel’s security.
Cameron did not even mention the signing of the signing of the agreement at the start of the meeting with Netanyahu but answering questions at the British parliament on Tuesday, he said: "Palestinian unity between Fatah and Hamas should be a step forward, and we must make sure that it is." He added:"We will judge any Palestinian government on its actions."
Britain's Middle East Minister Alistair Burt said Tuesday that progress would be dependent on "both Palestinian wings continuing to reject violence, continuing with the peace process and recognizing the state of Israel. As yet, Hamas has not made any move in that direction."　
"What happened today is a tremendous blow to peace and a great victory for terrorism," Netanyahu said.
Cameron told Netanyahu that he understood Israel’s nervousness about the sweeping changes in the Middle East but insisted that the end of bin Laden and the Arab spring are “an opportunity not a threat.”
“This is a moment of opportunity to continue the work, and to defeat terrorism in our world and to continue the expansion of democracy, civil rights and freedom across the Middle East and North Africa,” Cameron said.
He warned that failure to engage in talks with the Palestinians would "fuel hate and radicalisation.".