Page 6 - TORCH Magazine - Issue #20

“We have a good cooperation on trade, security and health, and in all three areas, there is lots of mutual support and intensive collaboration.”
Amb. Tzipi Hotovely with the UK Abraham Accords Group at Houses of Parliament: Amb. Mansoor Abulhoul (UAE), James Cleverly, Dr Anwar Gargash (UAE), Liam Fox and Fahad Albinali (Bahrain).
One of the most impressive examples of our cooperation is in response to Covid. Israel sees Britain as a role model because from the beginning it was clear that the UK government's paradigm was for normal life to continue as much as was safe and possible. Israel is following British policy, and in turn, Britain is following the Israeli vaccine rollout, which has been an immense success.
We have a good cooperation on trade, security and health, and in all three areas, there is lots of mutual support and intensive collaboration.
During the last visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, we signed a very special bilateral agreement to build a close strategic partnership, similar to what we have with our friends in the US. This commitment reveals a lot about where diplomatic relations are right now. They were strong to begin with, but they are only getting stronger.
Britain has a very important legacy of Zionism based upon its Judeo- Christian values. How has your own Jewish faith contributed to your political and diplomatic roles in advocating for Israel?
Judaism is a very significant ingredient in my identity, and in my personality. I grew up in a very Zionist family and my Jewish roots have always been intrinsic to who I am.
Today more than ever, inter-faith dialogue is also very important and one example of this is the signing of the Abraham Accords, which signal a big change in the Middle East. Even the name represents the history we have in common.
Faith holds a special place in the Middle East, and in meetings with Arab colleagues there is a mutual feeling that we share similar beliefs. Ultimately, we are all moderates who view religion as a
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