Israeli ambassador has been sharing ‘vital information’ with UK amid outbreak

Israel’s ambassador to the UK Mark Regev said he has been “passing vital information” to the British government in a bid to help tackle the coronavirus.

Regev joined Senior Reform Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner in an interview broadcast on the video conferencing platform Zoom on Tuesday. “There are a number of research centres in Israel where they are close to a vaccine. Direction of travel is positive,” he said.

He added: “Some of the solutions that can help humanity are likely to come from Israel because we’re at the forefront of medical innovation. Some of our best minds are working on it.

“I as ambassador have been passing vital information onto the UK government that may prove helpful in finding a solution and saving lives.”

Regev also said Israel has been trying to “beef up the medical capabilities in Gaza”, where 13 cases have been confirmed.

Researchers at Israel’s Migal Galilee Research Institute hinted last month a vaccine could soon be ready for testing but told of a lengthy approval process, the Times of Israel reported.

In the UK, a professor of vaccinology the University of Oxford suggested a vaccine could be made available as early as September. Speaking to The Times last week, Sarah Gilbert indicated human trials are set to begin in the coming weeks.