BICOM

David Quarrey began his term yesterday as the UK’s Ambassador to Israel, succeeding Matthew Gould who served for five years in the post.

Quarrey is a senior diplomat who prior to his posting in Tel Aviv served as the Director of the Foreign Office’s Near East and North Africa Division. During more than 20 years at the Foreign Office, Quarrey has worked in British missions at the United Nations in New York, in New Delhi and in Harare.  He was also a private secretary to Tony Blair from 2004 to 2006, during Blair’s time as Prime Minister and director for foreign policy at the National Security Secretariat.

Assuming office, Quarrey commented: “It is a great privilege to be the new British Ambassador to Israel. Israel is a fantastic posting. I look forward to getting to know all of Israel’s communities. I want to deepen the partnership between our two countries, in particular strengthening our ties in the fields of trade, investment, science, technology and cooperation against shared security threats, and work for progress toward peace.”

Quarrey takes over as UK envoy with bilateral relations continuing to grow in numerous fields including science, health and education. Meanwhile, UK-Israel trade has grown rapidly in recent years and is currently worth in excess of £4.5 billion, growing by 38 per cent during the first eight months of 2014 to reach record levels.

Quarrey replaces Matthew Gould who served as the UK Ambassador in Tel Aviv from 2010. During his time in Israel, Gould consistently reiterated the government’s opposition towards any attempts to boycott, divest or apply sanctions to Israel. He was also central in promoting growing business and scientific ties between the UK and Israel. In particular, he oversaw the establishment of a successful hi-tech hub to encourage British-Israeli partnerships in digital, biomedical and cleantech industries. Gould will soon take up his new position as Director of Cyber Security at the Cabinet Office.