Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz (C) poses for a picture with his French and British counterparts Stephane Sejourne (R) and David Lammy.<\/p>\n
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told his French and British counterparts Friday that his country expects support \u201cin attacking\u201d Iran if it strikes Israel.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Iran attacks, we expect the coalition to join Israel not only in defense but also in attacking significant targets in Iran,\u201d Katz told his French and UK counterparts during their visit to Israel.<\/p>\n
British and French foreign ministers visited Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to call for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and a de-escalation in any wider conflict in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
The visit by Britain\u2019s David Lammy and France\u2019s Stephane Sejourne comes as a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks was underway in Doha, an effort to end 10 months of fighting in the Palestinian enclave and bring 115 Israeli and foreign hostages home.<\/p>\n
The talks came as Iran appeared on the point of retaliating against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a dangerous moment for the Middle East,\u201d Lammy said in a statement. \u201cThe risk of the situation spiralling out of control is rising. Any Iranian attack would have devastating consequences for the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Britain and France are calling for a diplomatic solution to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and restore peace along the Israeli-Lebanese border, the British foreign ministry said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s never too late for peace. We must at all costs avoid a regional war, which would have terrible consequences,\u201d French foreign minister Sejourne said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The visit by the duo marks the first UK-France joint visit to Israel in more than 10 years.<\/p>\n