THE Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, embarks on his first European diplomatic tour today, seeking statements of support from Britain, France and Germany.
Since taking office in June, Mr Netanyahu has made two visits to the US, Israel's main ally, eliciting statements from President Clinton that his right wing government seeks to bolster peace with the Palestinians. Now he thinks it is Europe's turn.
"Europe can play an important political role in the Middle East, for example, by confirming and affirming the principle . . . that we are moving and we all should move forward to peace, Mr Netanyahu told journalists at a briefing last week.
In Germany last week, the Palestinian President, Mr Yasser Arafat, called for pressure on Mr Netanyahu to honour Middle East peace deals signed by the previous Israeli government.
"Frustration and desperation are quickly increasing," Mr Arafat said. "This drags the region back to extremism, violence and terrorism. Enmity and war are appearing on the horizon."
Mr Netanyahu opposes trading occupied Arab land for peace, the foundation of Middle East peace efforts launched in Madrid in 1991.
Citing security concerns, he has yet to carry out a long delayed Israeli troop redeployment in the West Bank town of Hebron.
Earlier this month Mr Netanyahu held his first summit with Mr Arafat, signalling acceptance of the Palestinian leader as a negotiating partner and helping to ensure a cordial welcome in world capitals.
Mr Netanyahu starts his three day tour in London, where he will meet the Prime Minister Mr Major, the Labour Party leader Mr Tony Blair, and the former prime minister, Lady Thatcher.
He flies to Paris tomorrow for talks with President Chirac and the Prime Minister, Mr Alain Juppe, before travelling to Bonn on Thursday to meet the Chancellor, Dr Kohl.
Egypt yesterday accused Mr Netanyahu of wanting war with his Arab neighbours.
"The war drums being beaten by Israeli leaders and their threats to use the military option are of a nature that they could dash all peaceful efforts and without doubt provoke similar reactions," said Mr Fathi al Shazli, an assistant Foreign Minister.
On Sunday, the Israeli Defence Minister, Mr Yitzhak Mordechai, warned Syria against the temptation of using military pressure to force Israel back to the negotiations table on its own terms.
"This language of dinosaurs . . . goes against Israel's obligations towards its partners in the peace process, including Syria, and causes revulsion," Mr Shazli said.
Meanwhile, Lebanon is reinforcing defences in the west of the Syrian policed Bekaa valley opposite Israel's south Lebanon occupation zone, Lebanese security sources said yesterday.
"In light of Israeli threats to Lebanon and Syria, the Lebanese government decided to reinforce its front line with Israel, especially in the Bekaa area," a security source said.