Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Friday thanked British Prime Minister David Cameron for his friendship with Israel, following Cameron’s announcement that he would step down in the wake of Britain’s vote in favor of leaving the European Union.

“I have great appreciation for Prime Minister David Cameron, a respected leader and a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people,” Netanyahu said in a statement.

“Throughout his premiership the security, economic and technological cooperation between the United Kingdom and Israel has greatly expanded,” added Netanyahu.

“Together we laid a strong foundation for continued cooperation,” the Prime Minister concluded.

Cameron had earlier announced his plan to resign following the “Brexit” referendum, in which the UK public declared its desire to leave the European Union.

“The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered. It is not a decision that was taken lightly,” he said. “There can be no doubt about the result.”

“I was absolutely clear about my belief that Britain is stronger, safer and better off inside the European Union. And I made clear the referendum was about this and this alone, not the future of any single politician, including myself,” continued Cameron.

“But the British people have made a very clear decision to take a different path and as such I think the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction.”

“I will do everything I can as prime minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months. But I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.”

(Arutz Sheva’s North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)