Amid the noise, the UK quietly doubles down on Israel ties
The UK government's 10-year “Industrial Strategy” and Calcalist's upcoming Mind The Tech conference show strong economic ties despite doom felt among British Jews.
It’s a complicated time to be a UK Jew right now. It’s even stranger when you’re a UK Jew living in Israel: watching from overseas as your country of origin sees record highs of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment.
A recent report from the Times of Israel has confirmed that the well-being and way of life for UK Jews is becoming ‘increasingly challenged [and] undermined’.
The report found evidence of a “specific unaddressed issue of antisemitism” within the UK National Health Service and “hidden barriers” against Jewish artists and performers.
I was disappointed to report in May that British Foreign Minister David Lammy announced the pausing of trade deal negotiations with Israel over its expansion of military operations in Gaza.
However, despite what some may suggest is the ‘end of times’ for British Jews, they can rest assured that their hometown is still working hard behind the scenes to support Israel in continued R&D and industrial opportunities.
Earlier this month, I received the news that the UK was unveiling a new “Industrial Strategy”, setting out a 10-year plan to boost investment, create skilled jobs, and “make Britain the best place to do business.”
The news was sent to me by my friends at the UK Embassy in Israel, a group of dedicated folks who work hard to maintain economic and cultural ties between the two countries. The strategy includes major investments to accelerate growth in key sectors. Here’s more about it:
In Digital and Technology, the UK aims to become the European leader in creating and scaling tech businesses, backed by over £2 billion to deliver the AI Action Plan, including a new Sovereign AI Programme.
In Clean Energy Industries, the UK will double its investment by 2035. Great British Energy will lead the clean power revolution with an additional £700 million for clean energy supply chains—bringing the total funding for the Great British Energy Supply Chain to £1 billion.
Creative Industries will benefit from a £380 million boost for film and TV, video games, advertising, music, and the performing arts, improving access to finance for scale-ups and unlocking new growth.
The strategy also includes targeted support for areas of the country and economy that have the greatest potential to grow, while introducing reforms that will make it easier for all businesses to get ahead and marking an era of collaboration between government and high-growth sectors.
Tech innovators will be backed with more funding to speed up discoveries with over £1 billion in investment to help businesses scale, grow the economy, and create jobs across the UK.
Increased funding for quantum technologies, semiconductors, and engineering biology will support the UK’s mission to deliver the highest sustained growth in the G7.
It will boost city regions and business clusters, invest £1.2 billion more each year in skills by 2028–29, and help 5,500 small businesses adopt new technology.
But how does this impact Israel and Startup Nation? Well, Britain is Israel’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade and investment continuing to grow even in challenging times. Over the last five years, more than 300 Israeli companies have expanded into the UK with support from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), creating approximately 4,000 jobs and over £906 million in investment. And in the past year alone, Israeli investments in the UK created 871 jobs and injected £173 million into the UK economy.
What’s more, the strategy also includes a new Global Talent Taskforce and a £54 million fund to attract world-class researchers and innovators to the UK— offering Israeli entrepreneurs, scientists, and tech leaders a welcoming environment to scale their ideas globally.
According to Ben Myers, Chargé d’Affaires, British Embassy in Israel: “With a highly skilled workforce and unrivalled global business connectivity, the UK offers an ideal location to scale, invest, and grow. Businesses can benefit from the G7’s lowest corporation tax, generous R&D tax incentives, and a global outlook from day one. This plan gives Israeli businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators the stability and confidence to make long-term investment decisions—further strengthening the already strong economic ties between the UK and Israel."
When I heard this news, I was relieved: It’s no secret that times have been tough for Jews in the UK. I was there just last week and heard directly from those who told me they hide their identities, or disguise traditional Shabbat dinners as casual ‘meet-ups’. They are frequently unmatched or blocked from apps when answering if they’re a ‘Zionist’. The fact that it is ‘business as usual’ for governments and organizations shows a promising commitment despite what we see online and on our streets.
Later this year, I will be back in London once again. I will be moderating Mind The Tech, the flagship conference from Calcalist and Bank Leumi, and I am proud to do so for the fourth time.
Overall, this is the seventh time that we will bring together global leaders in tech, finance, government, and entrepreneurship. The conference will highlight Israel's evolving tech landscape and the UK's position as a hub in Europe. A promising continuation of what the Embassy announced in terms of collaboration between our nations.
It is an honor to lead such impactful conversations. For those who want to join us, you can pick up tickets here:
The fact that our conference can go ahead as planned and that the UK government is working to enhance these ties is a testament to the work done behind the scenes. I will always be fond of both my countries, and anything I can do to help facilitate healthy collaboration and conversation is worth any online backlash I might face.
See you all in September!