London: Britain’s Foreign Secretary says he has had “frank” talks with Benjamin Netanyahu over the Israeli Prime Minister’s major expansion of “illegal settlements” in the West Bank.
Mr Johnson tweeted on Wednesday local time that he had conducted “friendly and frank” discussions with Mr Netanyahu during his visit to Jerusalem.
“[We] discussed Two State solution, trade & concern over illegal settlements,” Mr Johnson said.
Mr Johnson’s pointed reference to Israel’s “illegal settlements” is in stark contrast to Australia’s foreign minister Julie Bishop who has refused to say whether the government considers Israel’s expansion into the occupied territories as “illegal.”
Fairfax Media asked Ms Bishop if she believes the settlements are “illegal” during her visit to London to meet Mr Johnson two weeks ago.
Ms Bishop did not condemn Israel’s settlements and said their legality was still to be decided.
Read the full article by Latika Bourke at The Sydney Morning Herald.