6 The Jewish News 29 September 2010
com
THE JEWISH NEWS INTERVIEW: MATTHEW GOULD, UK AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL
The ambitious envoy
MATTHEW GOULD HAS SERVED AT BRITISH EMBASSIES IN WASHINGTON, IRAN, PAKISTAN AND THE PHILIPPINES. IN
THIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, HE TALKS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF BEING BRITAIN’S FIRST JEWISH AMBASSADOR
TO ISRAEL, THE UK’S ROLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS, THE THREAT POSED BY A NUCLEAR IRAN AND
HOW HE AND HIS PREGNANT WIFE CELIA ARE SETTLING INTO THEIR NEW LIFE IN TEL AVIV
Jewish News: You’ve only been in
the job for two weeks. How are
you finding it so far?
Matthew Gould: It was clear from
the very start that this is a fantastic
job. I held a dinner this week for 30
Israeli-British scientists which was a
strong and emotional reminder
about how amazing Israel really is.
They were all leading scientists in
their field – cosmologists and oncol-
ogists – and they all believed in full
cooperation between Britain and
Israel. They saw huge potential for
partnership between the two coun-
tries. I have learned that it’s vital to
have an open mind in Israel and am
struck by how diverse the country is.
The population is comprised of
Ashkenazis, Sephardis, newly-
arrived Russian immigrants,
Charedi, Israeli-Arabs and so on.
The list is endless and that’s what’s
so great about Israel. It’s clear that I
need to get out there to talk to peo-
ple about Israeli life and how the
country is building a great future for
itself. I am still learning Hebrew and
I hope to be proficient soon. I am
keeping up with all my lessons!
JN: What do you anticipate will
be the toughest part of being the
British ambassador?
MG: Undoubtedly it will be handling
the relationship between the coun-
tries when there are differences
between us. The key will be making
sure both sides have enough confi-
dence in the friendship between our
countries so that we can get through
the difficult times.
JN: You’ve identifed strengthen-
ing ties as being among your top
priorities. How do you plan to do
this?
MG: I’m going to find the areas
where Britain and Israel are already
doing fantastic things together and
find ways to step up our partnership
in these areas. I already know two of
the key areas in which I’m going to
focus. One is scientific co-operation,
where there is already huge
amounts of collaboration between
British and Israeli scientists, but
there’s room to do much more. The
Ambassador Matthew Gould and his wife Celia at the ambassador’s first official reception earlier this month
other is co-operation between our
companies in the technology sector.
Israel has one of the most impres-
sive high-tech economies in the
world and Britain needs to be one of
its key commercial partners.
JN: Daily life in Israel and
Britain tend to be rather differ-
ent – as are the cultures. Do you
have any anecdotes to share
about your experiences adapting
and settling into your new sur-
roundings?
MG: It was a real joy to be in Israel
on Yom Kippur and see families
strolling down the empty motorway
together. And thousands of kids
were on the street cycling. It was an
amazing atmosphere. It gives my
wife and I enormous pleasure to
know that our first child will be
born here. It will be a wonderful
place to bring up a child. Everyone
has been so friendly and positive –
from government officials to politi-
cians to people I talk to in the park
when I walk my dog. I feel that peo-
ple want me to succeed in my mis-
sion of building the partnership
between Britain and Israel.
JN: Which Israeli figures do you
most admire?
MG: There are many to choose from.
David Ben Gurion and Yitzhak Rabin
were both men of real vision while
Golda Meir defined Israeli grit and
determination. And, although not an
Israeli, I’m currently enjoying a
biography of Herbert Samuel –
Britian’s first High Commissioner of
Palestine.
JN: How did it feel to present
your credentials to President
Shimon Peres?
MG: It was hugely exciting and a real
honour. Shimon Peres is a man who
has been a part of Israel’s history
from its first moments – someone
who not only dreamed but also
turned those dreams into reality.
JN: Will the fact that you are
Jewish have any bearing on your
role and outlook?
MG: Only that being Jewish gives me
a real understanding of why Israel is
so fixated on its own security and
why Israelis feel that their security is
vulnerable.
JN: Will the current round of
peace talks overcome the key
issue of West Bank settlement
building?
MG: It’s unwise and unhelpful for
me to predict how the talks are
going and how they will conclude.
But I will say that it’s a very good
thing that the talks are happening
www.totallyjewish.
and there are grounds for real hope.
The talks have the full support of
the British government.
JN: How can Britain best con-
tribute to the peace process?
MG: Britain and the rest of Europe
can play a large supporting role. For
example, we provide training to the
Palestinians on running an economy.
Such knowledge is necessary if a
two-state solution is to be achieved.
We are supporting from the side-
lines as it’s of no benefit to have
hundreds of different countries and
organisations taking part in the core
talks.
JN: Are William Hague’s com-
ments that Israeli settlements
are “illegal” and “a barrier to
peace” unhelpful?
MG: Not at all. He was simply articu-
lating the long-standing position of
the British government, which
remains a friend to Israel and has
proved this recently by announcing
plans to change the law on universal
jurisdiction. This relationship is as
strong as ever. The prime minister
and foreign secretary are keen to
visit the region as soon as they can.
JN: Under what circumstances
would Britain support military
action against Iran – given that
the United States fears the coun-
try is just 12 months away from
securing a nuclear capability?
MG: I cannot possibly answer that.
To speculate would be wrong. All I
can say is that all options remain on
the table, but the diplomatic route
remains the key solution.
JN: What are your favourite
places in Israel?
MG: There are so many places I love,
such as Jerusalem, Masada, Old Jaffa
and Haifa. I love the desert and think
parts of the north are beautiful. As
for Tel Aviv, my wife and I are excited
about working in such a remarkable
city and are going to work our way
around the restaurants, see as many
films as we can and experience
everything Israel offers.
• Interview by Susanna Bellino