Israel's Netanyahu says Theresa May's govt offers 'opportunities'

Israel's Prime Minister has said ahead of a visit to London he hopes the UK will line up against Iran alongside his country and the US.

Benjamin Netanyahu said there are "opportunities" that stem from "a new government in Britain" as he prepared to fly to the UK to meet Theresa May and Boris Johnson.

He said he aims to speak to both the British government and the US, in a visit "next week", about "tightening relations" with Israel.

His visit has prompted Labour's leader Jeremy Corbyn to tell Mrs May to make sure Mr Netanyahu knows "the British government will stand unequivocally behind the rights of the Palestinian people."

The Israeli PM has sparked controversy in the last few weeks by backing the building of 3,000 new settlement homes in a policy some have claimed breaks international law.

Mr Netanyahu said: "We are in a period of diplomatic opportunities and challenges.

"The opportunities stem from the fact that there is a new administration in Washington, and a new government in Britain.

"I intend to speak with both of them about tightening relations, between each side and Israel and trilaterally.

"This is what I will do next week in Washington and in London tomorrow.

"The challenges stem from the fact the Iranians also understand what I have just said.

"They are trying to test the boundaries with extraordinary aggression, gall and defiance.

"I think that the most important thing at the moment is that countries like the US, which will take the lead, Israel and the UK line up together against Iran's aggression and set clear limits to it.

"This will be the first issue, among many, that I will discuss with UK Prime Minister Theresa May and, of course, with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson."

Iran has said it will launch missiles as part of a military exercise despite US sanctions over a test firing last weekend.

Jeremy Corbyn said: "When Theresa May meets the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tomorrow, she has let it be known she will tell him that building settlements on occupied Palestinian land 'undermines trust'.

"The Israeli government's decision to build 3,000 new settlement homes in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal under international law and a threat to peace and international security.

"It undermines still further the prospect of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

"Theresa May must make clear to the Israeli Prime Minister that the British government will stand unequivocally behind the rights of the Palestinian people, along with the many who support them in Israel, as well as human rights and justice across the region."