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Netanyahu and May. (photo credit:GALI TIBBON / AFP,REUTERS)

Hours before leaving for London for his first meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May since she took office in May, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday morning that Israel is on the cusp of a very significant diplomatic period.

Speaking at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said that in his discussions with May and with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, he will emphasize the need for a common stand against the Iranian aggression that has reared its head in recent days. This needs to be done on a regular basis, especially in light of their defiance of the world order.

His comments come just days after US President Donald Trump and his National Security Adviser Michael Flynn put the Iranians on notice that their disruptive behavior in the region and the world will not be tolerated.

National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Minister Yuval Steinitz praised Trump for his position on Iran, telling reporters before the cabinet meeting that finally a US president has stood up and said 'we will restrain Iran's misbehavior and its spread in the Middle East. We will not let them continue to develop ballistic missiles, we will not let them continue to transfer weapons to Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.'

Netanyahu told the cabinet that he will talk to May about strengthening the two countries diplomatic, security, economic and technological ties, including close cooperation in the field of cyber security.

Netanyahu will be in London for 24 hours, coming back to Israel on Monday evening.

He did not mention in the brief opening statements to the cabinet either the controversial settlement regulation bill, that is expected to come for a vote Monday evening, or the White House statement on settlements issued on Friday.

That statement said that the US desire for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians has remained unchanged for 50 years. While we dont believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal. As the President has expressed many times, he hopes to achieve peace throughout the Middle East region.

The statement said that the Trump administration has not taken an official position on settlement activity and looks forward to continuing discussions, including with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he visits with President Trump later this month.

Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump on February 15.

Steinitz, however, did relate to the White House statement, saying that it was positive from Israel's perspective.

Steinitz said the statement was a fresh, positive change for Israel that unequivocally states that settlements are not an obstacle to peace, and that building and construction inside the settlements is acceptable to the US.

He said he did not remember the last time there was such a reasonable and logical US statement about settlements.

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Netanyahu to press Britain for 'common stand' against Iran - Jerusalem Post Israel News