“Our nations are allies united by our commitment to freedom and a shared vision for the future,” Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid to the United Kingdom’s Incoming Prime Minister Elizabeth (Liz) Truss in congratulations on her new leadership role.
By Erin Viner
“Congratulations to my good friend and a great friend of Israel, Liz Truss,” said Prime Minister Lapid in a statement, underscoring, “I look forward to continuing our work together to take that alliance to new heights.”
In November 2021, then-Israeli Foreign Minister and Truss, serving that time as the British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for strategic cooperation between the two nations in London amid nuclear talks in Vienna between world leaders and Iran.
“This is not only an agreement between close friends, but also between two technological powers. This agreement will lead to a free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and Israel will strengthen the economic, security, technological and cultural ties between us – this is not only a win-win agreement, but also a must-must agreement,” said Jerusalem’s top diplomat according to a statement communicated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson at the time,
In warning against renewal of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, Lapid said at a joint press conference with Truss, ““I know we are committed to the same goal – that Iran will not be able to acquire nuclear weapons. The Iranians have only one goal at these talks – the removal of sanctions. They will play for time, they will earn billions from the removal of sanctions, they will continue to deceive the world, and secretly advance their nuclear program. This is what they have done in the past, and this is what they will do this time as well. The world must prevent it, and it can prevent it. Tighten sanctions. Tighten supervision. Conduct the discourse from a position of power.
Liz Truss will replace Boris Johnson as Britain’s Prime Minister today after successfully defeating rival Rishi Sunak in a vote of Conservative Party members yesterday.
The 47-year-old is under pressure to set out an immediate plan to tackle soaring energy costs, an economic crisis and mend deep divisions in her own party. Truss will become the Conservatives’ fourth prime minister in six years.
“Thank you for putting your trust in me to lead and deliver for our great country,” Truss said following her victory, while stressing her intention to “take bold action to get all of us through these tough times, grow our economy, and unleash the United Kingdom’s potential.”
Johnson was forced to announce his resignation in July following the en masse resignation by his ministers and incremental loss of backing for his administration in the wake of a series of scandals.
After delivering a speech outside Downing Street, Johnson will travel to Scotland to meet Queen Elizabeth at her Balmoral Castle residence to officially tender his resignation. Truss will follow him and be asked to form a government by the monarch, then address the country and start appointments to her top team of ministers.
The UK currently faces the prospect of a long recession. Inflation hit double digits in July, the national currency is devaluating and household energy bills are predicted to spike by 80% in October.
Johnson and Truss are meeting Queen Elizabeth in Balmoral ( round-trip of about 1,000 miles / 1609 km) rather than Buckingham Palace (round trip 2 miles / 3 km), where she is vacationing.
Truss will serve as the 15th Premier during the Queen’s reign as the UK’s longest serving monarch.