I have written before about the growing trade between Israel and the UK. The numerous jobs gained at Rolls Royce in Derby is just one indication of this trend. In fact, “exports from the UK to Israel skyrocketed in the first six months of this year to £2.6 billion, an eyebrow-raising 75 percent increase on the eve of Brexit”.

In light of the hatred exhibited at the British Labour Party’s conference last week, it was suggested that I pursue the theme one step further. What follows are three items that I have come my way in the past week alone.

1. The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) is to hold its 3rd annual conference in Israel next month. Nearly 30 Israeli companies are already listed in London with a market capitalization approaching US$9 billion.
2. In a totally different sphere – and I never thought that I would be writing this – Israel is about to commence large scale commercial exports of whisky to the UK. Yes, whisky, the “water of life” from the Milk and Honey distillery in the Holy Land, is to be imported by Maverick Drinks, a serial award winning distributor in London.
3. And in the world of real estate, it is well known that Israelis have shown considerable interest in the British market in recent years. For example, the Fattal empire is the second largest hotel group in the UK , employing thousands. In two weeks time, the Israel Britain Chamber of Commerce (IBCC) will hold its 8th annual conference on the British property market. This is near guaranteed to raise investment into the UK.

I suppose that I should declare that I do possess one of the first bottles labelled by Milk and Honey, and also that I am on the board of the IBCC.

That said, can you imagine what would happen if the Labour Party was given a chance to implement its policy of hate? How many jobs would be lost on both sides of the equation? How much mutual investment would be lost? And in the name of …..?