YNET NEWS: Netanyahu, UK's Gordon Brown meet in London, as pro-Palestinian rally crowds entrance to Downing 10. British premier urges halt of settlement construction, PM stresses: 'Jerusalem is not a settlement. It is the sovereign capital of the State of Israel'
LONDON - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Tuesday afternoon with UK Premier Gordon Brown. Netanyahu had to be ushered into the official Downing Street residence via the back door, as the front entrance was the scene of a pro-Palestinians rally.
The rally, attended by hundreds of people, began about 30 minutes prior to Netanyahu's arrival at Number 10, causing both the British and Israeli security officers present to heighten alert, fearing the Israeli prime minister's convoy may be targeted.
Brown met Netanyahu and Israeli Ambassador to London Ron Prosor at the door, and all three were rushed in by their respective security details.
At some point, several demonstrators tried breaching the secured perimeter, but were stopped by British police. Demonstrators hollered slogans the likes of "Free Palestine" and "Netanyahu's a war criminal," and carried signs reading "Judea and Samaria are Palestinian territory," "Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine," and "Let the Palestinians live."
The two held a joint press conference after their meeting, in which Brown said the UK was and is a loyal friend to Israel and that it supports the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Nevertheless, brown stressed that that the demand to halt settlement construction remains in place, as the settlements are what impedes the two-state solution.
Jerusalem, responded Netanyahu, "Is not a settlement. It is the sovereign capital of the State of Israel. We have been building in Jerusalem for 3,000 years." >>> Roni Sofer | Tuesday, 25, 2009
