Hague in Jerusalem
Hague in JerusalemIsrael news photo: Flash 90

British Foreign Secretary William Hague is in Jerusalem, and met with  Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Thursday.

Peace between Israel and the Palestinians is a "priority," British Foreign Secretary Hague said as he was about to meet Netanyahu.

"The Middle East peace process is... an urgent priority for the United Kingdom and to the world. We welcome the very strong commitment (to reviving peace talks) shown by President  Obama on his recent visit here, and by Secretary Kerry, who is here again," Hague said.

"My visit is in support of those efforts," he said. "We urge all parties to move the process forward and to really give the bold and decisive leadership that will allow success." 

Hague and Netanyahu said that they would also discuss the Iranian nuclear program and the war in Syria, in separate statements hailing Britain and Israel's "strategic" cooperation.

Hague spoke of Britain's "very strong concerns... about the nuclear program of Iran. We pursue... sanctions and negotiations, but nobody should doubt our resolve in these matters."

Netanyahu described Iran's atomic drive as "the biggest challenge of our time."

The Israeli leader also expressed his condolences for the "horrific terrorist attack against a British citizen in London," a reference to the murder of a soldier there on Wednesday.

"We sympathise deeply."