The meeting of Boris Johnson and Naftali Bennett at Cop26 cemented a “special relationship’” between two leaders who are already “WhatsApp buddies”, the JC can reveal.
In our exclusive interview this week, conducted by Anshel Pfeffer, Mr Bennett talks about his “two big decisions” — rolling out the booster vaccine and forming his coalition government.
The packed agenda for the “exceptionally warm” sit-down of the two leaders at Cop26 included the Israeli PM’s plan to tackle climate change and his experience of battling Covid, as well as the economy and security.
Mr Bennett raised the threat of Iran developing nuclear weapons, warning the world is at a “critical moment”. The looming crisis has been already been the subject of several conversations between the two prime ministers.
Their discussion in Glasgow was said to be “funny and friendly” and built on what was already a “good connection”, according to a senior diplomatic source.
They have been in frequent contact by mobile in recent months and were “hugely looking forward” to their meeting, which took place in a side room at the Cop26 venue and lasted almost half an hour.
Mr Bennett outlined his ambitious plan to harness Israel’s world-leading tech innovation in the cause of battling climate change.
His appearance on the world stage alongside international leaders just months after he took office was hailed as a key moment in his premiership.
Prime ministers and presidents from across the globe are said to have “flocked” to him in the leaders’ lounge in Glasgow, with many particularly eager to learn from Israel’s success in “crushing” the Delta variant without a lockdown and the rollout of boosters.
Also in Glasgow was Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, whom Mr Bennett told: “British Jewry is a shining example of how to turn Jewish values into actions which strengthen both the community and wider society.”
The Israeli PM also met the Duchess of Cambridge to discuss ways to encourage the younger generation to take an active role in the fight against climate change, the JC understands.
