Politics
Israel free trade deal to focus on 'the economy of the future', says trade secretary
Kemi Badenoch also repeated her support for a Westminster Holocaust memorial
March 29, 2023 14:09
Kemi Badenoch also repeated her support for a Westminster Holocaust memorial
March 29, 2023 14:09Business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch has said she is working to build "stronger relationships" between Britain and Israel.
Speaking at a Conservative Friends of Israel parliamentary reception, the minister claimed that a free trade deal with the Jewish state currently under negotiation would focus on “innovation, digital, tech… the economy of the future.”
Earlier this month, Badenoch visited Israel, where she laid a wreath at Yad Vashem and met her counterpart, Nir Barkat.
She was “really pleased to meet” the economy minister, she told attendees, adding that there are “lots more exciting things that will be happening.”
Badenoch also said we "absolutely need" to construct a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre beside Parliament, adding that it is “critical that we continue to educate” about the Holocaust.
The government's planned Westminster monument has been mired in planning difficulties since planning permission was first granted in 2021.
In February, prime minister Rishi Sunak introduced legislation that would permit construction by circumventing a 128-year-old law.
Badenoch's remarks come a week after the the UK and Israel signed a long-term agreement to boost ties and tackle antisemitism.
The deal - inked by foreign secretary James Cleverly and foreign minister Eli Cohen - is set to boost cooperation on trade, cyber, science and tech, and research and development, among other areas.
Also speaking at the CFI reception, Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely hailed UK-Israel ties and welcomed the recent signing of the “exciting 2030 Bilateral Roadmap."
It is “great to be in a room of friends of Israel," she added.
Hotovely also celebrated the announcement of a new UK-Israel strategic dialogue which will begin this year and spoke of the “the importance of a new and very innovative trade deal."
Hailing former home secretary Sajid Javid's "friendship," the Israeli ambassador praised his decision to proscribe Hezbollah's political wing.
An "iconic photo" of the MP at the Western Wall "won the hearts of the Israeli people," she added.