Israel's Netanyahu expresses hope for U.S. peace push in Middle East

[November 03, 2017]  LONDON (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday he hoped a U.S. peace initiative will work and praised President Donald Trump for taking a fresh approach to bringing the Israelis and Palestinians back to negotiations.

Asked if he felt now was the moment for peace in the region, noting Trump's involvement in peace efforts, he said: "Hope so."

"What's being discussed now is an American initiative. Obviously we make our interests and our concerns known to Mr Trump. He's coming with a sort of refreshing 'can-do' ... they're trying to think out of the box," Netanyahu said at London's Chatham House during a visit to mark the centenary of the Balfour Declaration.

(Reporting by William James, writing by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Alistair Smout)

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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, November 2, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville