Jewish community leaders have welcomed Prime Minister Theresa May’s arrival at Downing Street and thanked David Cameron for his “genuine friendship” during his time in office.
CFI Parliamentary Chairman Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP, Honorary President Lord Polak CBE and Executive Director James Gurd led the messages of congratulations: “CFI would like to congratulate Theresa May on her confirmation as the UK’s new Prime Minister. Theresa is a long-standing friend of Israel and the UK’s Jewish community, with a proven track-record in combating anti-Semitism. This represents an exciting new chapter in the UK-Israel relationship and CFI looks forward to working with Theresa to further strengthen the relationship between the United Kingdom and Israel”.
They thanked David Cameron for his years of “genuine friendship” and for everything he has done to “strengthen the relationship between Israel and the United Kingdom”, on his final day as Prime Minister yesterday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with David Cameron on Tuesday night, thanking him for standing by Israel and for the good relations and strengthening of ties between Israel and Britain during his time as Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Netanyahu sent a letter of congratulations to Prime Minister May, welcoming her to her new post.
At a CFI Parliamentary reception in 2014, Prime Minister May affirmed her support of the Jewish state: “No democratic government could, in the face of such danger, do anything but maintain a strong defence and security capability and be prepared to deploy it if necessary. That is why I – and the whole British government – will always defend Israel’s right to defend itself”.
Chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council, Sir Mick Davis, said about the new Prime Minister: “She has consistently worked to support and understand the issues that affect British Jews, and we look forward to building on those foundations to create a strong and enduring relationship”.
Sir Mick, who served as the chair of the former Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission, added: “I wish to take this opportunity to, once again, sincerely thank David Cameron for his dedication and devotion to our country. He is a true friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, we wish him and his family well. He will always be welcome in our community”.
Board of Deputies Chief Executive Gillian Merron congratulated the new Prime Minister: “Theresa May has been a great friend of the community and, during her time as Home Secretary, the Board of Deputies has had a very positive and close relationship with her. We look forward to that relationship continuing as she moves into 10 Downing Street and we wish her every success in her new role at this challenging time for our country”.
Paul Charney, Chairman of the Zionist Federation UK, said: “Time and time again, Theresa May has shown herself to be a committed and conscientious friend to both Israel and Jewish communities in the UK. We have no doubt that should the safety of either come under threat, she will stand firm in our defence. Under David Cameron, the relationship between Israel and the UK remained warm and open, and we look forward to that positive relationship continuing under May”.
