Britain's new ambassador to Israel begins work in the post today.

David Quarrey takes up the post in Tel Aviv following the end of Matthew Gould's five-year stint.

A Foreign Office veteran, Mr Quarrey was previously a private secretary to Tony Blair during the Labour leader's time as Prime Minister.

On his first morning in the job Mr Quarrey said: “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.

"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."

Mr Quarrey has worked for the Foreign Office for more than 20 years and has served in British missions at the United Nations in New York, in New Delhi and in Harare.

Mr Gould had been in Tel Aviv since 2010 and was the first British Jewish diplomat to be appointed to the role.