Business and Trade Secretary Rt. Hon. said she is “really proud
to be a supporter of CFI and to be working to build stronger
relationships between the UK and Israel” in her keynote speech at
Conservative Friends of Israel’s Annual Parliamentary Reception
on Tuesday.
On a busy night of votes in Parliament, the Cabinet Minister said
she “didn’t want to miss” the “legendary” CFI reception.
Addressing an audience of 200 CFI supporters, including 40
parliamentarians, Ms Badenoch discussed her ongoing work towards
an enhanced UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement. She underlined that
the deal will be focused on “innovation, digital, tech… the
economy of the future” and said she was “really pleased to meet”
her Israeli counterpart Nir Barkat recently, adding that there
are “lots more exciting things that will be happening”.
The Secretary of State emphasised her support for the
construction of a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre beside
Parliament and reflected on her visit to Yad Vashem on a recent
trip to Israel. She said it is “critical that we continue to
educate” about the Holocaust and we “absolutely need to have the
Memorial”.
CFI was delighted to welcome Ambassador of Israel, H.E. Tzipi
Hotovely, CFI Parliamentary Chairmen Rt. Hon. and Rt. Hon. The , CFI Honorary President CBE and CFI Chair Hilda Worth,
who gave speeches at the event.
Israeli Ambassador H.E. Tzipi Hotovely hailed UK-Israel ties in
her address and welcomed the recent signing of the “exciting 2030
Bilateral Roadmap”, stating that it is “great to be in a room of
friends of Israel”. She announced the agreement of “a new
strategic dialogue between Israel and the UK that will start this
year” and highlighted the ”very strong cooperation on security
and intelligence” between the two countries.
During her speech, the Ambassador thanked “a very special
friend”, former Cabinet Minister Rt. Hon. MP, for “standing on the front
line” in defending Israel during his time as a Member of
Parliament. “Your friendship… is one of the greatest things that
happened for the Israel-UK relationship”, she added, praising his
decision as Home Secretary to proscribe Hezbollah and his support
as Chancellor and Health Secretary as well as in other roles.
Ambassador Hotovely said that the “iconic photograph” of Mr Javid
at the Western Wall in Jerusalem “won the hearts of the Israeli
people”. The Ambassador presented Mr Javid with a letter from
Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanking him for his support.
The Conservative MP said it was “truly humbling” to receive the
letter. Mr Javid highlighted his “attachment and love of Israel”,
stating that although he is leaving Parliament, he will “continue
to support Israel in every way that I have done”.
In his opening remarks, reflected on the latest events
in Israel, applauding the country’s protection of the right to
protest: “Never let it be said that Israel is not a vibrant
democracy… Never let it be said that Israel doesn’t believe in
the rule of law… and never let it be said that Israel doesn’t
have a political system that isn’t capable of coming together, of
finding a compromise”.
CBE gave the vote of thanks at
the event, thanking the Business and Trade Secretary, the CFI
team and CFI Parliamentary Chairmen Rt. Hon. and Rt. Hon. The . He underlined the importance
of CFI’s delegations programme and said that the UK-Israel
relationship goes “from strength to strength”. The Conservative
Peer added that we should “be proud of the State of Israel and
the people of Israel”.
