Britain posts new envoy to Israel

Senior diplomat David Quarrey says ‘Israel is a fantastic posting,’ as he replaces ambassador Matthew Gould

Britain's ambassador to Israel, David Quarrey. (British Embassy Israel)
Britain's ambassador to Israel, David Quarrey. (British Embassy Israel)

Veteran British diplomat David Quarrey plunged into work at his country’s embassy in Tel Aviv Monday, replacing Matthew Gould as ambassador to Israel.

Quarrey, who has worked in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for two decades, previously served as the prime minister’s private secretary and was director for foreign policy at the National Security Secretariat. He has also served overseas at the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York, in India and in Zimbabwe.

“It is a great privilege to be the new British Ambassador to Israel. Israel is a fantastic posting. I look forward to getting to know all of Israel’s communities,” Quarrey wrote in a statement.

“I want to deepen the partnership between our two countries, in particular strengthening our ties in the fields of trade, investment, science, technology and cooperation against shared security threats, and work for progress toward peace,” he added.

British ambassador Matthew Gould seen during a Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality Committee in the Israeli parliament on June 11, 2014. (Photo credit: Flash90)
Former British ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould (Flash90)

Gould, the first Jew to occupy the post, served in the position since 2010, will take up his new position as director of cyber-security at the UK’s Cabinet Office. He was outspoken in his opposition to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which protested Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians, and was active in promoting business and science ties between the countries.

Gould was previously posted in Iran for two years, and fostered connections to the Jewish community there.

Lazar Berman contributed to this report.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.