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UK Ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould and former Editor-in-Chief of Haaretz, David Landau have been named in the Queen’s birthday honours list in recognition for their work promoting relations between Britain and Israel.

Gould has been awarded the CMG in the Order of St Michael and St George. The citation praised his work in promoting trade, investment, scientific and technological co-operation between Israel and the UK. Academic, scientific and trade relations between the UK and Israel have developed significantly over recent years. Trade between the two countries was worth more than £5.1 billion last year.

Commenting on the news, Gould said, “This award is a huge honour. It is a reflection of the wonderful progress that has been made in building the partnership between Britain and Israel in the last four years, and the importance that Britain attaches to that partnership.” He added, “I am blessed with a fabulous team, committed partners, and an amazingly supportive wife. This award is more to their credit than to mine.”

Meanwhile, London-born Israeli journalist Landau has been awarded an OBE for services to advancing UK-Israel understanding and peace in the Middle East. Landau, who moved to Israel in 1967 was the founding editor of Haaretz’s English edition in 1997 and served as editor in chief of Haaretz from 2004 to 2008. He has also been the managing editor of the Jerusalem Post and Israel correspondent for the Economist. His recent biography of former-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been widely acclaimed.

Landau commented on the award, telling Haaretz “I’ve always felt lucky” explaining, “Growing up in victorious post-war Britain and living now in the reborn Jewish state, helping it, as a journalist, reach peace with its neighbours. For me, this award powerfully and poignantly vindicates that feeling.”