Benjamin Netanyahu
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Israel to Upgrade Ties with NATO

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel would upgrade its ties with the 28-member NATO military alliance by opening a permanent mission to its Brussels headquarters.

"Israel will accept the invitation and open an office, in the near future," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting.

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Israel Renews Opposition to French Peace Initiative

Israel on Thursday reiterated its opposition to a planned French peace conference, calling instead for direct and unconditional negotiations with the Palestinians.

"The best way to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is direct, bilateral negotiations," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

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Netanyahu Plays down rift with U.S. ahead of Biden Visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Sunday of "strong" ties with the United States ahead of a visit by Vice President Joe Biden, despite deep disagreement over the nuclear accord with Iran.

"This visit expresses the strong relations between Israel and our ally the U.S.," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting.

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Netanyahu Pledges 'Terrorism' Cooperation with Africa

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday pledged his country's cooperation with African nations against "terrorism" as he met Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

"Israel is willing and prepared to work with African countries in our common battle against militant Islamic terrorism," Netanyahu said as he went into talks with Kenyatta, whose country has long been a strategic ally of Israel.

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Netanyahu at Davos Says Israel Needs more Aid after Iran Deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday that his country will need more U.S. military aid because of the nuclear deal with Iran.

Israel is currently negotiating a new 10-year military aid package with Washington that it says will need to grow beyond the $3.1 billion yearly currently provided by the United States.

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Likud Calls Off Primary Vote, Declares Netanyahu Winner

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu found himself in a bitter election fight in recent days to decide the leader of his party -- even though he was the only candidate.

Netanyahu pushed for an early primary vote for his Likud party, less than a year after general elections, in what analysts say was a maneuver to clear out potential rivals.

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Report: U.S. Spying on Netanyahu Communications

The United States continues to spy on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's communications despite promising to curtail the hacking of its allies, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

Contacted by AFP, the White House did not deny the report, which cites several serving and former U.S. officials, but stressed the importance of its ongoing close ties with Israel.

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Kerry Condemns Palestinian Attacks as he Meets Israel PM

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemned a wave of Palestinian attacks as he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday in his latest bid to ease nearly two months of violence.

Arriving with scant hopes for a major breakthrough, Kerry said he would discuss with Netanyahu and later Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah ways of calming tensions.

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Netanyahu Urges 'Global Solution to Terror' in Call with Hollande

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for "a global solution" to terrorism in a phone call with Francois Hollande on Wednesday to express his solidarity after the Paris attacks, the French presidency said.

Netanyahu "wanted to convey a message of support and stressed that terrorism was a global problem requiring a global solution," the presidency said, five days after Paris was rocked by gun and suicide attacks that killed 129 people.

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Netanyahu Stresses Defense Aid ahead of Obama Meeting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he planned to discuss defense aid with President Barack Obama as he left for his first meeting with the U.S. leader in over a year.

Netanyahu is due to meet Obama on Monday in Washington as the two leaders seek to set aside their testy personal relationship and turn the page after a sharp disagreement over the July nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

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