Israel’s envoy to the UK Tzipi Hotovely will remain in her role
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid’s office confirms he has no plans to replace her
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Israel’s ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely is to remain in the role for the full three years, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid’s office has confirmed.
In a statement Hotovely said she is “happy to have the honor to represent the State of Israel as Ambassador to Britain.”
The ambassador added: “I was sent on a three year mission and it is good that Minister Lapid made it publicly clear he has no intention of changing that.”
Former Likud MK Hotovely had been former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appointment and was widely believed to face being replaced under her new government.
Reports from Israel say she hired lawyers to protect her position after replacements for her in the UK ambassador role were named in media reports.
Former Yesh Atid MK Yael German, who has since been appointed ambassador to France, was said to be Lapid’s preferred candidate.
But sources say Lapid reassured Hotovely last week he had no plan now to replace her.
The pair reportedly have struck up a good relationship in recent weeks.
Hotovely was appointed Israel’s ambassador to the UK last August so has two more years left in the role.
Earlier this year she clashed with BBC Newsnight host Emily Maitlis during an interview about the conflict with the Palestinians.
Hotovely twice declined to say she supported a two state solution to the crisis.
During the interview Hotovely, a former settlements minister, was then asked about concern within parts of British Jewry about her appointment.
She said she had been “welcomed by British Jewry” and added she was “very happy that after six months I think I’ve met every single group of the different denominations of British Jewry. They were very welcoming”.
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