Netanyahu: Israel must diversify markets due to Islamisation, anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism in Europe

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told his cabinet that Israel needs to diversify its markets in the face of the rising Islamisation and anti-Semitism across Europe.

Speaking hours before Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe landed in Israel, Netanyahu said: "Western Europe is undergoing a wave of Islamization, anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism.

"These waves are washing over it and we would like to ensure that the State of Israel will have varied markets around the world."

Abe's trip marks the first visit by a Japanese premier to Israel in nine years.

"I emphasize eastern markets not because we want to give up on other markets but we certainly want to decrease our dependence on certain markets in Western Europe," said Netanyahu who called Abe's visit a "historic opportunity."

Netanyahu has been pushing on furthering Israel's Asia ties since his coming to power in 2009.

According to the Financial Times, Israel's economy minister Naftali Bennett reiterated the sentiment, saying: "The lesson we learnt from the recent experience negotiating with the EU over Horizon 2020 was that Israel cannot put all of its eggs in one basket. We need to scatter them."

Meanwhile, Abe who has arrived with a delegation of 100 top government officials and businessmen, said: "We are now seeing steady progress in development of our bilateral relationship in a comprehensive manner.

"And among all the areas that we are working closely, the economy is the one area which has the greatest potential for advancement of the bilateral relations."