mr. netanyahu, meets george mitchell, president obama's middle this convoy. what is important on the european front is what happens with iran because britain and germany, where mr. netanyahu will also be, have been one of the countries taking the lead on that particular subject. britain it is a permanent member of the security council of the u.n., so it is significant. in the diplomatic process, which has been driven by the security council. >> and jeremy, on iran, what do you think >> and allen is going to want from the likes of gordon brown? >> i think he made it very clear already. he is going to want the strongest possible sanctions to, first of all, punish the regime in iran. but more specifically, to dissuade them from continuing with their nuclear enrichment process. and ultimately mr. netanyahu and others, including gordon brown, believe they're trying to get nuclear weapons. >> just go back on the settlements issue, do you see by the time nekton and no need george mitchell, d think there is any leeway or room for maneuver? >> let us look at the objec

mr. netanyahu said he was prepared to see and do demilitarized zone along israel. the americans are pressing the israelis to stop building homes for jews on an occupied land. this is a palestinian family camping outside jerusalem after being evicted to make way for jews. americans believe that this is no foundation for peace. britain agrees with that, but in downing street, mr. brown says the current round of diplomacy could be producing hopeful signs. >> we have had good talks today. they are more optimistic than before. >> that is because mr. netanyahu may be close to agreeing on a conditional freeze on israeli building in at some parts of the disputed areas. >> jerusalem is a sovereign area. we accept the limitations on our sovereignty. jerusalem is not a settlement. >> that they also talked about iran and the disputed election in june. but britain and israel believe the regime has plans for nuclear weapons that must be stopped -- at first by sanctions, and if that does not work, israel threatens military action. all of this is a reminder of how hard it is to ma

mr. netanyahu may be cle to agreeing on a conditional freeze on israeli buildg in at some parts of the disputed ars. >> jerusaleis sovereign area. we accept the limations on our sovereignty. jerusalem is not a settlent. >> that they ao talked about iran and the diuted electi inune. but briin and isrl believe the regim has plans for nucar weapons at must be stopped -- at firstyanctions, and if that does not work, israel threatens militaryction. all of this is a reminder of how hard it is to make peacen a part of the world wi different crises and allenges. in wshington, president obama is trying to come u with a coherent plan to deal with all. he may unveil it in new york next month. bbc news in downing seet. >> you mayeel you hve heard lot about pollution in china, but the sheer scale of the problem is only jus boming cleare with so many peoe being poisoned by eir environment, there have been two separate instances with lead poisoni affeing children. 800 art sick in -- 800 are sick in one province. in the show o a smelting plant, many children have been accepted. now officials ar looking at the

mr. netanyahu, i think he will try to move the focus of the israeli-palestinian conflict. as far as israel is concerned, this is a major threat to israel. if iran wants to develop a nuclear bomb, that could threaten the existence of the state of israel. i think that will be the message he will put across to chancellor merkel today. >> when the israelis apparently are talking quite a lot about a possible deal, are they jumping ahead of themselves? are they trying to apply pressure? what exactly is going on? >> while benjamin netanyahu was in london, he met president obama's chief peace middle east envoy. both men said progress had been made on the settlement issue. in the israeli press, it is what quite often happens. the suspicion is that the government of israel is bouncing ideas around in the press. there is talk of israel agreeing to a freeze of building settlements between six months and nine months. according to the press again, it would also be contingent on israel being allowed to continue building in east jerusalem. it does not regard that as occupied territory. ne

mr. netanyahu has grudgingly except that there will be a palestinian state, but israel is not freezing the settlements. in addition, there are still real problems about humanitarian access to gaza. what can the quartet do, and what can the international community do to deal with this crisis at the moment? >> it is absolutely clear that our view it is the view of other countries that we do need a complete freeze in settlement construction. it is in line with israel's commitments that that would be a basis on which further peace discussions could began. i have said this to prime minister netanyahu before the elections. i have talked to him subsequently. is very important that the israelis to recognize that international opinion is of the view that in addition to the commitment which is welcome to a palace in in -- a palestinian state, that a peace process could work. that would come from a freeze in settlement construction. >> are we waiting on the u.s. to put pressure and for that pressure to be effective, or can we and the eu and the other members of the quartet do anything ourselves at th

mr. netanyahu.will you continue, while utah, continue t build homes for jews in those parts of jerusalem that israel captured in 1957? and mr. brown, do you think that the scottish decision on the lockerbie release has undermined britain's position with allies like israel and the u.s.? >> i mad it clear in my conversation with president obama in washington amah incense, that rusalem is a sovereign country of israel admits of no limitations on our sovereignty. this is directly -- to put a fine point on this, jerusalem is not a settlement. a settlement issue is outstanding. it has t be one of the issues resolved in the negotiation alongside the palestinian recognition of the jewish state. and if i could demilitarization arrangements for any future peace agreement. but our position is that jerusalem is the united capal of the jewish people. is only been around a swiveling around there for three and half thousand years. we recognize obviously have residents with jerusalem. they enjoy all that equal righ

mr. netanyahu, whether you continue to build homes for jews, and mr. brown, to you think this got his decision on the lockerbie release has undermined britain's position? >> i have made a clear -- made it clear in my president with barack obama -- and i have made it clear to president obama that we accept no indentations on our sovereignty. to put a fine point on this coming to reduce -- the settlement issue is outstanding. it has to be one of the issues resolved in the discussion. our position is that to release some is the united capital of the jewish people. we have only been around for 3.5 dozen years. we recognize that there are residents of jerusalem that enjoy all of the equal rights and benefits of the jewish residents. >> i do not think what has happened will undermine our relationships with israel or the united states or other countries that engage with us in the fight against terrorism. i have made it clear that whatever the decision that is made on the judicial basis by the scottish parliament, our determination to fight terrorism is clear.