Israel is a beacon of ‘freedom and pluralism’ that mirrors British values like no other state in the Middle East, new Ambassador Mark Regev said in his first UK public address in the role.
The 56-year-old Australian-born diplomat, who only formally commenced his role last week, spoke of his hopes of further enhancing bilateral ties to more than 400 guests at the Board of Deputies annual president’s dinner in central London.
According to Jewish News, Mr Regev reflected on the incoming festival of Pesach and its story of freedom from oppression. The former foreign media spokesman for Benjamin Netanyahu, said:
“We can all take great pride in the freedoms Israel guarantees to all citizens – Jews and non Jews alike. In the in great expanse of the Middle East, in a region plagued by extremism, violence and tyranny, Israel stands out as beacon of freedom and pluralism. Israel enjoys a rambunctious parliament, feisty media and active civil society second to none.
“So when British people look at the Middle East and search for a country that reflects their values – rule of law, tolerance of others – there is only one country. I am proud to be that country’s ambassador to the Court of St James.”
He later aired his views on Twitter:
When British people look at the MidEast & search for a country that reflects democratic #BritishValues, it’s only #Israel @BoardofDeputies
— Mark Regev (@AmbMarkRegev) April 11, 2016
“In the volatile and dangerous Middle East, Israel stands out as a beacon of freedom and pluralism” @BoardofDeputies President’s Dinner
— Mark Regev (@AmbMarkRegev) April 11, 2016
As Breitbart London reported, the same dinner also played host to David Miliband, the former foreign secretary, who used the platform to call anti-Semitism “repulsive” and warned it must be exposed and defeated, amid growing controversy over attacks against Jews from within the UK Labour party.
Mr. Miliband, who narrowly lost the Labour leadership contest to his brother Ed in 2010, said the response to anti-Semitism “can’t be to turn away. It must be to engage, not to ignore.”
Follow Simon Kent on Twitter: Follow @SunSimonKent or e-mail to: skent@breitbart.com
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