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Britain and Israel set to deepen trade and security ties

Britain and Israel set to deepen security ties despite violence against Palestinians
World
2 min read
Britain and Israel are set to deepen their trade and security ties, despite Israel's ongoing violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
There have been widespread protests against Israel's extreme-right government in the UK [source: Getty]

Britain and Israel will sign an agreement aimed at deepening technology, trade and security ties over the next seven years when foreign minister James Cleverly meets his Israeli counterpart in London on Tuesday.

This is despite a political crisis engulfing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial judicial overhaul, and the continued persecution and oppression of Palestinians in occupied territories. 

Israel's Eli Cohen is visiting London to sign the new roadmap for relations with Britain.

"Our roadmap will allow us to fully take advantage of the opportunities in areas of mutual interest, including tech, trade and security," Cleverly said in a statement ahead of the visit.

Britain said discussions would also include the recent spike in violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territories.

Israel has killed at least 83 Palestinians so far this year, with nearly daily raids on towns in the West Bank.

The prospect of a peaceful tw0-state solution is further away than ever as Netanyahu oversees the most right-wing government in the nation's history, including ministers who support the expansion of settlements and openly called for the demolition of Palestinian villages. 

The new deal includes around 20 million pounds ($24.50 million) of joint funding commitments on technology and innovation, the statement added.

Britain and Israel last year launched negotiations for a new trade agreement and said that deal was "a key priority for both governments".