The British and Israeli foreign secretaries have promised they will do whatever they can to stop Iran becoming a nuclear power.

Today, in a meeting at the Foreign and Commonwealth office, Israeli foreign minister and Liz Truss signed a memorandum of understanding between the UK and Israel to deepen co-operation in a number of key areas. According to the Foreign Office, the pair "discussed how the UK and Israel are close allies and, through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding, our two democracies will transform our relationship into an even closer partnership by formally agreeing a new strategic plan for the next decade spanning cyber, tech, trade and defence."

There was also discussion of a new UK-Israel trade deal, which was alluded to by Israeli president Isaac Herzog on his visit to London last week. Mr. Lapid also discussed the situation in Gaza with the Foreign Secretary and thanked her for the UK government's decision earlier this month to proscribe terrorist group Hamas in its entirety.

In a joint Op-ed published by the Telegraph today, the foreign ministers referenced several areas of collaboration between the UK and Israel as well as condemning antisemitism all over the world. They also talked about how the recovery from the pandemic would be based on free-trade and collaboration, saying:"e have built a trading relationship worth £5  billion, led by companies like Rolls-Royce supplying jet engines to Israel’s national airline and the Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva now providing one in six of the NHS’s prescription medicines."

They also both paid tribute to the value of co-operation saying, "There is no greater sign of what can be achieved through open dialogue than the Abraham Accords. The UK was one of the first countries to celebrate publicly this historic step towards normalisation in the Middle East led by Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco, and mediated by the United States.

"One year on, the UK is continuing to play its part in supporting Israel as it works more closely with partners in the region.

"Israel and the UK are the closest of friends, and today we become even closer. Together we ensure the future is defined by liberal democracies who believe in freedom and fairness."

Mr. Lapid arrived in the UK on Sunday and will attend a Chanukah menorah lighting service at 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister Boris Johnson later today.

Earlier this year, Mr. Lapid outlined a plan to improve relations between Gaza and Israel including repairs to Gaza’s electricity system, a new water desalination plant, “significant improvements” to healthcare and the rebuilding of housing and transport infrastructure.

"In exchange, Hamas will commit to long-term quiet," he said. "It won't happen without the support and involvement of our Egyptian partners and without their ability to talk to everyone involved.”