Simon Walters officially welcomed as UK ambassador to Israel

שנה טובה! pic.twitter.com/iogtu3qwPi

— Simon Walters (@simonwaltersuk) September 14, 2023

Walters, who has been taking full-time Hebrew language lessons since early 2022 in preparation for the role, has served as the Director for National Security for the Middle East and Africa in the Foreign Office.

He has also previously worked for the British consulate in Jerusalem from 2008 to 2011, held postings in Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iraq and served in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the Arabian Peninsula in 2012.

Walters said on Twitter of the appointment: “This is an exciting and important moment and I look forward to the next four years in which we will work together to deepen the excellent relations in all fields.”

הבוקר הגשתי את כתב האמנה שלי לנשיא מדינת ישראל @isaac_herzog והפכתי באופן רשמי לשגריר בריטניה 🇬🇧 בישראל 🇮🇱. זה רגע מרגש וחשוב ואני מצפה לארבע השנים הקרובות שבהן נפעל יחד להעמקת היחסים המצוינים בין שתי המדינית הנהדרות שלנו בכל התחומים. pic.twitter.com/nEOV8xE5ND

— Simon Walters (@simonwaltersuk) September 19, 2023

President Herzog said: “My family’s story has deep ties to the UK. Michal and I were honoured to represent Israel at the Royal funeral & coronation. 

“Israel and the UK have excellent relations, we will continue to work to strengthen them.”

Walters, born in Northern Ireland, has previously spoken about his affection for Israel and praised the Jewish state for its “unsung role” in the defeat of Isis.