Tom Phillips, Britain’s new ambassador to Israel, arrived this weekend in Tel Aviv, his second stint in an official position in Israel. Phillips served as the Consul General and Deputy British Ambassador during the years 1990-1993.
“I am happy to return to Israel, and I am well aware of the challenges facing this region,” Phillips said upon his arrival. “I know this job will be exciting as well as demanding. There is a strong bond between Israel and Britain, and I will do my best to make it stronger.”
Phillips, 56, who is married with two children, was head of the South Asia and Afghanistan Department in the British Foreign Office. Prior to that he served in Kampala, Washington, and Harare. Outgoing Ambassador Simon McDonald, who was very successful during his service in Israel and was well respected by the Israeli leadership returned to Britain last week to assume the role of Head of the Iraq Department in the British Foreign Office.