Netanyahu to attend Thatcher's funeral
At family's request, prime minister to represent Israel in former British premier's funeral next week
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will attend the funeral of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who passed away Monday at the age of 87, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
Netanyahu's office said that Thatcher's family had personally requested that he attend the funeral.
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President Shimon Peres was also invited to attend but after discussions it was decided that Netanyahu will travel alone.
Netanyahu had long admired the former British premier with whom he kept in good relations. The two first met when Netanyahu was finance minister and later when he served as opposition chairman.
He had sought her advice on how to handle the economic crisis. In 1999, after he had lost the elections, Thatcher sent him a hand-written note expressing her sorrow.
This will be Netanyahu's first trip abroad in his current term as prime minister and will give him the opportunity to meet British Prime Minister David Cameron and other world leaders.
Thatcher's funeral will take place in London on Wednesday, April 17, David Cameron's office said on Tuesday.
The service will be held in St Paul's Cathedral, Downing Street said.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, will attend the service.
Reuters contributed to this report
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