The Foreign Secretary Liz Truss today hosted her Israeli counterpart to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding and for wider discussions in London
The Foreign Secretary welcomed Foreign Minister Lapid to the UK and wished him and all Jewish people in Israel and around the world a Happy Chanukah.
They discussed how the UK and Israel are close allies and, through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding, our two democracies will transform our relationship into an even closer partnership by formally agreeing a new strategic plan for the next decade spanning cyber, tech, trade and defence.
The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Lapid also looked ahead to the start of consultations on a new, enhanced UK-Israel trade deal next year.
The two noted that the MOU will see the UK and Israel forge a closer alliance on cyber and tech, and will help to ensure that future standards on new technology are shaped by democratic nations.
They discussed a shared desire to work more closely together on honest and reliable investments into low and middle income countries.
They also discussed the Middle East Peace Process, including how to improve the situation in Gaza. Foreign Minister Lapid thanked the Foreign Secretary for the UK’s recent decision to proscribe Hamas in its entirety.
On Iran, the Foreign Secretary updated on the UK’s efforts to restore the JCPoA through talks that have restarted today (Nov 29) in Vienna, Austria.