‘Memorandum of understanding’ signed by foreign secretaries Liz Truss and Yair Lapid
'Historic' 10 year plan includes pledge to work 'night and day' to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has signed a joint “memorandum of understanding” with her Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid – including a pledge to work “night and day” to stop Iran’s nuclear weapon programme.
In a “historic” 10 year plan to be confirmed on Monday, the new agreement will repeat a pledge Truss made in her speech at the Conservative Friends of Israel party conference reception for closer cooperation between the two nations on cybersecurity, technology, defence, trade and science.
Truss will also say again that Israel has become one of the UK’s most trusted allies in thwarting cyber attacks.
The two foreign ministers will also say talks on a trade deal are also set to continue early next year.
Lapid arrived in London on Sunday, ahead of Monday’s announcement, and will also attend a Chanukah lighting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson later in the day.
In a joint article for today’s Daily Telegraph, Truss and Lapid write on Iran:”We will also work night and day to prevent the Iranian regime from ever becoming a nuclear power. The clock is ticking, which heightens the need for close cooperation with our partners and friends to thwart Tehran’s ambitions.”
The pair also used the joint op-ed to condemn “the appalling attacks on Israel and its representatives, from the shooting in Jerusalem last week by a Hamas militant to the unacceptable hounding of Israel’s ambassador Tzipi Hotovely outside the London School of Economics.”
They add: “There is no place for antisemitism around the world.
“That is why the UK has moved decisively to support Israel in this fight by proscribing Hamas in its entirety. The Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre planned near Parliament will stand as a constant reminder, and answer to the question of why we must stamp out anti-Semitism and hate wherever and whenever it is found.”
Truss and Lapid say there is no greater sign of what “open dialogue can achieve” than the Abraham Accords.
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