BICOM

Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to make his first official visit to Israel next month, according to Israeli media reports.

Yediot Ahronot and other media outlets cited unnamed Israeli Foreign Ministry officials who said Cameron will arrive in Israel in mid-February. This would be Cameron’s first visit to Israel as Prime Minister; Foreign Secretary William Hague has visited Israel twice, the last time in May 2013.

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein invited Cameron to address the Knesset when the two met briefly following the memorial service for former-South African President Nelson Mandela. Edelstein used the opportunity to invite Cameron to address the Knesset.

Meanwhile, it was announced this week that Isaac Schapira, a prominent ultra-Orthodox leader in Israel, has been awarded an OBE in recognition of his work “strengthening the ties between the UK and the haredi [ultra-Orthodox] community.” Schapira, who is the son of the late United Torah Judaism leader and Knesset member Rabbi Abraham Yosef Schapira, commented that he is “deeply honoured” and that he views the award as a “mark of great respect” for Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community. Schapira added, “I have been proud to witness for myself the British government’s warmth and supportive attitude toward our community.”

UK Ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould said that Schapira has “helped us build a friendship and understanding between Britain and the haredi community… Isaac has devoted huge time over many years to helping me and my predecessors get to know this vital and important part of Israeli society.”