UK faces calls to resume Israel trade talks as Lapid meets Cooper and Powell in London
Lapid also urged the UK to lift all current restrictions on arms sales to Israel.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell faced calls to restart UK-Israel trade agreement negotiations during a meeting in London with Israeli Opposition leader Yair Lapid.
Israeli officials confirmed that Lapid also urged the UK to lift all current restrictions on arms sales to Israel.
The trio also discussed the possibility of Egypt replacing Turkey and Qatar as leaders in the management of Gaza.
Lapid said this raised the prospect of helping advance additional agreements in the Middle East that would strengthen Israel’s security and economy.
Cooper replaced David Lammy as Foreign Secretary during September’s reshuffle and is one of the most experienced cabinet ministers in government, but had not previously held an international brief.
Lammy suspended negotiations over a new free trade deal in May, saying Israel’s cabinet ministers’ calls to “purify Gaza” by expelling Palestinians were repellent, monstrous and extremist.
Powell, national security adviser to Keir Starmer, has played a key behind-the-scenes role in formulating government policy in relation to Israel, the Palestinians and the wider Middle East.
During the visit, Lapid also met with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
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