Liz Truss on Israel

Strong Israel advocate (strong)

TL;DR

Liz Truss explicitly identifies as a 'huge Zionist' and a strong supporter advocating for closer UK-Israel ties.

Key Points

She publicly described herself as a "huge Zionist" and "huge supporter of Israel" while speaking at a Conservative Friends of Israel event in October 2022.
As Foreign Secretary, she signed a memorandum of understanding with the then-Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid in November 2021 to strengthen cooperation.
Truss stated during her leadership campaign that she would review the policy of keeping the British embassy in Tel Aviv rather than moving it to Jerusalem.

Summary

Liz Truss has positioned herself as a vocal and strong advocate for Israel, viewing the relationship through the lens of shared values between free democracies. As Foreign Secretary, she signed a memorandum of understanding with her Israeli counterpart to enhance cooperation across defence, cyber, and trade, calling the UK-Israel connection a "unique partnership." She has consistently named Israel as a key ally in her 'Network of Liberty' concept, designed to counter authoritarian regimes, and pledged to work with allies to ensure Iran never obtains nuclear weapons.

During her time seeking the premiership, Truss suggested a review of relocating the British embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move supported by the Israeli government but criticised by others for potentially breaching international obligations. She also publicly took a firm stance against anti-Israel agendas at the UN Human Rights Council, claiming she overruled Foreign Office diplomats to do so. Her alignment with Israel is rooted in her broader ideological foreign policy which stresses alliances with like-minded, freedom-loving nations.

Key Quotes

“As you know I am a huge Zionist, I am a huge supporter of Israel, and I know that we can take the UK-Israel relationship from strength to strength.”

Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) event October 4, 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Liz Truss's position on Israel?

Liz Truss has maintained a strongly positive position towards Israel, frequently voicing her support for the nation. She has openly identified as a 'huge Zionist' and advocates for strengthening the bilateral relationship between the UK and Israel.

Did Liz Truss plan to move the UK embassy to Jerusalem?

Yes, while serving as Foreign Secretary and during her leadership campaign, Liz Truss indicated she would review the UK's decision to keep its embassy in Tel Aviv. This potential move was planned to align the UK position more closely with that of the United States.

How did Liz Truss describe the UK-Israel relationship?

She described the relationship as a 'unique partnership' between two free democracies that should stand 'shoulder to shoulder' against authoritarian threats. She viewed Israel as a key component of her proposed 'Network of Liberty' on the global stage.