UK and Israel must stand and work together

Britain’s Boris Johnson has insisted the UK and Israel “must stand and work together” in his first dedicated address on the issue since becoming foreign secretary.

The former London mayor, who led a trade delegation to Israel last year, also heaped praise on Shimon Peres during a keynote address to the largest ever Conservative Friends of Israel reception at party conference.

He spoke of his “privilege” at attending the former president’s funeral along with prime ministers, heads of state and royalty, adding the dignitaries present were “dwarfed by the achievements of this extraordinary man”.

“I put it to you that Britain and Israel are both countries where our dreams are still bigger than their achievements. Our best days are ahead. We must stand and work together. Britain, Israel and Conservative Friends of Israel can build those dreams together.”