On this day: Matthew Gould appointed British ambassador to Israel - The Jewish Chronicle

“As someone from a Jewish background...it's even more of a fantastic opportunity,” he said, as he began his new job.

Although Herbert Samuel, who served as was the first high commissioner to the British Mandate of Palestine, was also Jewish, Matthew Gould is the first Jew to represent Britain in Israel since the state was founded.

He’s only been in Israel since September, but in that short time he and his wife Celia have made something of an impact. The couple have met Noam and Aviva Shalit, parents of captured Israeli soldier Gilad, at their protest tent in Jerusalem, and taken fashion advice from British duo Trinny and Susannah at a star-studded party.

Mr Gould was appointed to replace Tom Phillips, who is now posted to Saudi Arabia. His grandfather arrived in Britain as a refugee from Poland in the 1920s; other family members did not survive the Holocaust.