Commenting on the visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, CFI’s Parliamentary Chairman, Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP and CFI’s Vice-Chairman Guto Bebb MP, John Howell MP and Andrew Percy MP said:
“We warmly welcome the visit of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to London. As the elected leader of the only functioning democracy in the Middle East, it is only right and proper that we celebrate our two nations’ shared values – liberty, democracy and the rule of law.
“The links between the UK and Israel are deep rooted and far reaching; from academia and the arts, to high-tech and medical R&D. Bilateral trade was valued at a record £5.1 billion in 2014 and we are now Israel’s second biggest export market after the U.S.
“Israeli ingenuity benefits every one of us – one in six of the generic prescription drugs used by the NHS come from Israel. British and Israeli scientists are working together to develop groundbreaking technologies and medicines to save lives around the world. This is the true face of Israel that is all too often overlooked.
“At a time when violence and persecution is shattering the region our relationship with Israel is more valuable than ever”.
