Israel’s ambassador to the UK presents credentials to the Queen

Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely has presented her credentials to the Queen during an official ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

The envoy arrived alongside her husband Or Alon, as she met with the Head of State via video link to officially become the first woman in the role.

The former Israeli minister was supposed to present her credentials last year after being appointed in August 2020.

However, the pandemic delayed the ceremony, while the Queen, who is remaining in residence at Windsor Castle, participated in remotely.

Hotovely said after the ceremony: “It is especially exciting to be the first female Israeli Ambassador to the UK and to meet with Her Majesty.

“The Queen has given me her blessing, and this ceremony has solidified the strong ties between our two democracies. I had the privilege of expressing my deep gratitude and appreciation to her Majesty on behalf of the State of Israel.”

“The strategic cooperation between our two countries is based on our shared values, and has reached new heights in the fields of diplomacy, security, culture and technology. Above all, this year we have seen innovative joint work in the medical field.

“The Israeli Health Ministry, is cooperating with its British counterparts and the NHS to cope together with this crisis. I am proud to serve as Israel’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom and look forward to continuing to promote the strategic and bilateral relations between our two countries.”