BICOM

The UK’s new Ambassador to Israel David Quarrey formally presented himself to Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin at an official ceremony yesterday in Jerusalem.

Quarrey took up his post in Tel Aviv last month, having served as the Director of the Foreign Office’s Near East and North Africa Division and having previously worked in British missions at the United Nations in New York, in New Delhi and in Harare.  Since his arrival, he has already unveiled three new schemes enabling British and Israeli scientists to collaborate more closely on water research.

During yesterday’s ceremony, at which new ambassadors from Germany, Cyprus, Rwanda and the Seychelles also presented their credentials, President Rivlin officially welcomed Quarrey. He noted, “During your term here, we will celebrate the centenary of the Balfour Declaration, which perhaps marks the beginning of the diplomatic relations between Israel and Britain.”

Rivlin expressed his appreciation for “the words of Prime Minister David Cameron on the need to fight against fundamentalism – terror is terror, wherever it occurs.” He also emphasised the importance Quarrey places on “creating confidence building measures in order to bring an end to the conflict in our region” and expressed the need to “make our neighbours understand that we are not doomed, but destined to live together.”

In response, Ambassador Quarrey underscored the importance of further developing bilateral relations, saying, “A big part of my job over the next four years will be to develop the ties that we have in trade, investment, and in science and technology.” He added, “I would also like to see more cultural collaboration between the UK and Israel and I hope to be able to give that a higher profile.”

Quarrey also echoed President Rivlin’s determination to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict, saying, “There is a great need for progress toward peace in the region – that need is very urgent, and we will do whatever is needed to support the difficult decisions required to achieve peace.”