UK Government: Reject Settlements Minister as Israel’s New Ambassador

UK Foreign Office

Settlements Minister Tzipi Hotovely has confirmed that she will be Israel's next ambassador to the UK.

Hotovely has an appalling record of racist and inflammatory behaviour from throughout her political career. This includes:

  • Inviting the far-right Jewish supremacist organisation Lehava to speak in the Knesset (the Israeli parliament)
  • Publicly opposing relationships between Jews and Arabs
  • Referring to Israeli human rights activists as "war criminals" and comparing them to a fifth column
  • Accusing Palestinians of being "thieves of history" who have no heritage or connection to Israel-Palestine
  • Calling for the Israeli flag to fly over the Temple Mount – a violation of the status quo in a holy site for both Muslims and Jews
  • Stating that the occupation is "a myth" and, as Settlements Minister, directly upholding Israel's illegal presence in the West Bank
  • Leading the campaign for annexation and claiming that biblical texts entitle Israel to the entirety of the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea

Less than five years ago, Brazil invoked its right to reject settler leader Dani Dayan as Israeli ambassador. Now the UK government must do the same.

As British Jews we are clear: Tzipi Hotovely's values and politics have no place in the UK. It is crucial that the UK government sends a message that her views are unacceptable, and rejects her nomination as ambassador.

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To: UK Foreign Office
From: [Your Name]

As a British Jew, I am appalled that Israel is nominating Settlements Minister Tzipi Hotovely as its next ambassador to the United Kingdom. I am calling on the government to invoke its right - and responsibility - to reject her appointment.

Hotovely has demonstrated a complete disregard for international law throughout her political career, and has an appalling record of racist and inflammatory behaviour. This includes inviting the far-right organisation Lehava to speak in the Knesset, supporting campaigns to prevent relationships between Jews and Arabs and referring to Israeli human rights activists as "war criminals" and "an enemy" within. She has accused Palestinians of being "thieves of history​"​ who have no heritage or connection to Israel-Palestine, and said it is her "dream" to see the Israeli flag flying over the Temple Mount –​ a violation of the status quo in a holy site for both Muslims and Jews.

As Settlements Minister, Hotovely shares responsibility for upholding Israel's illegal occupation of the West Bank – which she has called "a myth" – and she is a leading advocate for annexation. She has previously claimed that biblical texts​ entitle Israel to the entirety of the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.

Less than five years ago, Brazil rightly rejected settler leader Dani Dayan​ as Israeli ambassador to the country.​ Now the UK government must do the same.​

Hotovely's values and politics have no place in the UK, and if the Israeli government believes they do then the British government must send a clear message otherwise by refusing her nomination.