UK's new ambassador to Israel announces impending visit by Boris Johnson.
By NIV ELISUpdated: JULY 23, 2015 19:04UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson(photo credit: REUTERS)
London Mayor Boris Johnson will visit Israel and the Palestinian territories this November, according to the UK's new ambassador to Israel, David Quarrey.According to the London Evening Standard, the trip is an attempt to "repair his leadership credentials" among Tories by dealing with a politically sensitive region. The trip, however, will also focus on strengthening business ties.Israel and the UK's ties have been warming; last year, Israel led foreign IPOs on the London Stock Exchange.Quarrey, who announced the trip at a welcoming ceremony in Tel Aviv Wednesday evening, said that increasing ties and high-tech collaboration were not only good for both countries, but represented the best argument against those who would boycott Israel.Asked about the recent Iran nuclear deal, Quarrey said he was pleased that British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond promptly visited Israel after the signing of the deal, to show that friends could maintain strong ties while disagreeing.Pressed on the sunset clause of the deal, which would allow Iran to build up enriched uranium reserves after 10-15 years, Quarrey said it was his belief that the nature of the Iranian regime would change in time. The country's relatively young and educated population, he said, were more interested in prosperity than supporting a repressive regime.
