UK pro-Israel organizations are enthusiastically welcoming the Israeli Foreign Ministry's appointment as new Ambassador to the country, former Prime Minister's Office spokesman Mark Regev.
Regev was tapped to replace Daniel Taub, soon after his departure at the end of July, but the Foreign Ministry only officially confirmed the appointment on Tuesday.
The UK Zionist Federation was quick to welcome Regev's appointment as illustration of the growing strength of UK-Israel relations.
"The departure of Daniel Taub left a very big pair of shoes to fill," ZF Director Aryeh Miller said of the highly-popular previous envoy. "However, in the run-up to the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, the Israeli government has once again shown how highly it prizes the special relationship between our two countries.
"As spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Israel, Mark Regev has time and time again made the case for Israel, often in the most trying of situations. We look forward to working as closely with this new Ambassador as we have with previous, working together for the people and the State of Israel."
Regev as born in Melbourne, Australia, and joined the Foreign Ministry in 1990, first serving as spokesman for Israeli embassies in the US and China, before taking the post as Foreign Ministry spokesman in 2004.
In 2007, he was appointed chief spokesman for the Prime Minister's office, under then-PM Ehud Olmert.
He rose to prominence for his calm but firm demeanor, and his skillful ability to present Israel's position during even the most hostile interviews.