United Kingdom (UK)

United Kingdom (UK) is a leading economic and political power in Europe. British legacy in the Middle East and its economic and political strength make it a key player in the region. The UK is an important partner of Israel in the fields of security and diplomacy. Over the past decade, Israeli and British policymakers have increasingly recognized the value of cooperation on shared challenges. Consequently, political ties have grown stronger, despite shifts in transatlantic relations, Brexit negotiations, and differences over Iran and the Palestinian issue.

Israel’s growing ties with the UK center on high tech, science and innovation, healthcare, energy, defense, counter terrorism, cyber security and aviation. The UK has identified Israel as one of its top five trade priority countries and one of its top strategic partners in the region. The UK is Israel’s second largest export market globally; Israeli firms and technologies have developed a significant presence in the UK.

The UK-Israel Strategic Dialogues, organized jointly by the Forum of Strategic Dialogue, a member of the ELNET network, and London’s Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), provide a unique platform for strategic discussions between British and Israeli policymakers and experts.

ELNET in the United Kingdom (UK)

E-mail: info@elnetwork.eu

ELNET UK WEBSITE >>

ELNET-UK Team

Joan Ryan

Executive Director,
ELNET-UK
Following a successful career as a local councillor, Joan Ryan was elected as a UK Member of Parliament in 1997. In 2002 Joan Ryan was promoted to Government Whip followed by a further promotion to become the Home Office Minister responsible for Immigration and Police Improvement. In 2007 she was appointed as Special Representative to Cyprus by the Prime Minister and appointed to the Privy Council by Her Majesty the Queen. In 2015 Joan Ryan was appointed as Chair for the Labour Friends of Israel and in 2016 she was appointed by the Speaker to the House of Commons Speaker’s Panel, chairing public bills and parliamentary debates.

Aaron Cohen-Gold

Deputy Director,
ELNET-UK
Prior to joining ELNET, Aaron worked for the UK’s most awarded PR Agency, the MHP Group, as a Government Affairs consultant, advising global businesses and government agencies. Before this, Aaron was Public Affairs Manager at the University of Cambridge and a Parliamentary aide for three Members of Parliament. Aaron has been part of the World Jewish Congress Jewish Diplomatic Corps since 2019 and a Deputy of the Board of Deputies of British Jews since 2021. In these roles he has addressed the UN Human Rights Council and other international bodies on the topics of Israel and the Israeli-Arab conflict.

Catherine Perez-Shakdam

Head of Policy and Communication,
ELNET-UK
Catherine Perez-Shakdam – An expert on the Middle East with a special focus on the Islamic Republic of Iran and Yemen, Catherine has over a decade experience as a researcher, commentator, and political analyst. Her commentaries have been published in prominent publications including the Jerusalem Post, Politico, The Times of Israel, the Independent, and the Daily Express. In 2022 she made the headlines in Iran for having successfully infiltrated the regime and secured audiences with high-ranking officials including President Ibrahim Raisi and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Angie McEvoy

Administration and Diary Manager,
ELNET-UK
Following a successful career as a performer and writer Angie worked as a Parliamentary Assistant for former MP Rt Hon Joan Ryan, ELNET-UK’s Executive Director. Angie then worked for Labour Friends of Israel, organizing briefings, conferences and fundraising events. She has a BA(Hons) in Performing Arts from Middlesex University and an MA in Gender Studies from Birkbeck University, London.