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Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett on Tuesday at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow for their first in person meeting. Israel’s Energy Minister Karine Elharrar also met with Prime Minister Johnson and Middle East Minister James Cleverly during the summit. No 10 Downing Street said in a statement that “the leaders noted the long-standing friendship between the UK and Israel and committed to deepen our partnership across security, trade and innovation”.
Prime Minister Johnson “welcomed Israel’s progress on climate ahead of COP, including the government’s recent commitment to net zero and revised nationally determined contribution”. The statement added that “he hoped to see further regional cooperation on expanding access to clean and renewable energy, to support decarbonisation and help to foster peace and stability”.
The two leaders also discussed wider political and security issues and agreed to continue working closely together. It was widely reported that PM Bennett raised the issue of Iran’s nuclear ambitions at the meeting, outlining his view that world powers need to markedly increase pressure on Iran.
PM Bennett also addressed the UK Jewish community in an exclusive op-ed in the Jewish Chronicle this week, stating: “We are aware of the challenges faced by Jews in Britain over the past few years, but are also inspired by how these difficulties have drawn the community together”.
