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.

Publications »

Italian-British Parliamentary Solidarity Mission

February 25, 2024

A diverse delegation comprising 17 Members of Parliament from Italy, the UK, Spain, Austria, Denmark, and Slovakia, along with three journalists and CEOs of ELNET-UK and ELNET-Italy visited Israel on February 11-14 as part of the ELNET’s Solidarity Missions.

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Professional Team »

Joan Ryan

Chief Executive Officer,
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
Aaron Cohen-Gold joined ELNET UK as its Deputy Director in 2023. 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.

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.

Executive Board Members

Victor Abrams

Chairman of ELNET-UK
Victor is an expert in global taxation, with nearly 30 years advising the world’s leading companies as a Partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and then 6 years as a Special Advisor for KPMG. He is a long- time supporter of Israel, first visiting the country in 1972 to travel and live and work on Givat Brenner kibbutz outside Tel Aviv . In the subsequent four decades he has returned frequently on business and for pleasure, and now splits his time between North London and Netanya alongside his wife Julia. Victor is passionate about the power of international trade and education to improve prosperity, deliver peace, and foster understanding and excitement about Israel and its achievements , and is keen to help build better relationships between UK , European and Israeli decision makers and legislators.

Angela Cohen

Angela Cohen has been Chairman of the ’45 Aid Society for the past 7 years. Her late father, Moishe Malenicky, was one of a group of over 700 orphaned child survivors, brought to the UK in 1945, most of whom had lost their entire families during the Holocaust. Angela has worked with the BBC and a number of production companies and has featured extensively on Holocaust-related TV programmes. In 2022 Angela was awarded an MBE for Holocaust education and awareness together with her son, celebrity Robert Rinder MBE. It was the first time a mother and son received an award together. Angela passionately believes that the stories of the survivors’ experiences are unfortunately as relevant now as they were over 70 years ago and must be used to teach that all life must be valued and respected.

Ged Ornstein

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and formerly a partner with Fisher Phillips, Chartered Accountants from 1974 until 2014, Ged remains a consultant to the Practice. Ged was previously a Trustee and co-Chair of StandWithUs UK. He is currently a Trustee of The Estelle Trust, which assists schools and communities in Zambia and The Walter Lees Foundation which supports giving opportunities to younger people who have specific needs. Ged has been married for 51 years to Judith, a non-stop campaigner against antisemitism, and the couple have two sons and six grandchildren. He is a staunch advocate of dialogue to promote understanding and clarity and believes taking delegations to Israel is the best way to show Israel as the multi-dimensional democracy it is.

Contact Information »

London
E-mail: info@elnetwork.eu

ELNET-UK Website >>