Visit to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, July 2023

In early July 2023, Oliver and Jordan held a number of meetings in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv with Members of the Knesset, the Sephardi Chief Rabbi, the UN Special Envoy to the Middle East, and US, UK, Turkish, and Irish diplomats.   

Meeting with US Ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides

Meeting with MK Gideon Sa’ar, Leader of the New Hope party

The purpose of these meetings was to evaluate the current political situation in Israel and the impact that this has on the conflict with the Palestinians. The visit coincided with Israeli military incursions into the Jenin refugee camp. There was a level of concern among some that the Palestinian Authority faces a crisis of legitimacy and could be close to collapse. This, in our judgement, underlines an urgent need for elections in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Discussions also covered the controversial judicial reforms proposed by Prime Minister Netanyahu, which have provoked widespread demonstrations across Israel.  

Engaging demonstrators outside the Knesset

In the discussions with the Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, he reiterated the religious ruling that prohibits Jews from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and his commitment to finding a durable peace with their Palestinian neighbours.  

Meeting with Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef