Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the phone on Friday for the first time since taking office.
Johnson congratulated Bennett for the recent formation of a government in Israel.
The two discussed new ties and cooperation between Britain and Israel, including security issues, trade, technology, and tackling the ongoing coronavirus epidemic by exchanging useful information by medical expects and sharing data regarding vaccines.Regarding British Jewry, Johnson stated in May that Jews should not have to endure "shameful racism" and went on to say that antisemitism has no place in British society, which was in response to the rising amount of hate crimes against Jews during Operation Guardian of the Walls between Israel and Hamas.
On Thursday, again addressing the Jewish community of the UK, Johnson warned of an "exodus" of Jews from Northern Ireland because of the lack of access to kosher food. This was due to a Brexit trade agreement he signed with the EU that was enforced at the beginning of 2021.
Regarding foreign relations with Bennett, Johnson stressed the importance to work together with the Israeli prime minister to combat climate change, and hopes that Bennett will attend the COP26 summit in November, hosted by the United Kingdom, according to reports by the UK government website. Johnson also invited Bennett to visit the UK. Reuters and Jeremy Sharon contributed to this report.