Benjamin Netanyahu to visit White House in November

Obama and Netanyahu talked on phone after the deal was reached, and Obama underscored his administration’s commitment to Israel’s security, saying the deal would not diminish the “concerns regarding Iran’s support for terrorism and threats toward Israel“.

Before the journey of Netanyahu to Britain, protesters gathered outside Downing Street on Wednesday to protest against his visit. “I believe that we can co-operate in practical ways to roll back the tide of militant Islam both in the Middle East and in Africa”, Nethanyahu said during his meeting with the British Prime Minister.

Police have arrested activists outside Downing Street who were calling for Israel’s Prime Minister to be locked up. But political tensions persist, especially over Iran, which British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond claimed last month has adopted a “more nuanced” approach to Israel, though this was promptly denied by Iranian government spokesperson Marziyeh Afkham.

Thirty-eight-year-old Damian – who grew up in the Rosemount area of Derry but now lives and works in Manchester – says he started the petition as soon as he heard that Mr Netanyahu was coming to the UK. A counter protest of sorts was being held simultaneously in the same location as a group of pro-Israel demonstrators held Israeli flags and signs, including one the read “self defense is not a crime”. Amnesty’s head of policy and government affairs, Allan Hogarth, said “David Cameron should be direct with Benjamin Netanyahu, telling him that Gaza’s suffering is unacceptable and must now end”.

The invitation follows a decision by the Quartet in February to include Arab countries in the diplomatic effort to restart the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

Both sides declared victory after a ceasefire was secured to halt the seven-week war that also left tens of thousands in Gaza homeless and devastated entire neighbourhoods in the blockaded territory.

At the same time, the letter reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself against “Hamas terrorist tactics”, and closed with a nod to the UK and Israel’s “excellent bilateral relationship”.

The British government said, “We recognize that the conflict in Gaza past year took a bad toll”.