The UK's first career Jewish ambassador was honored this week to mark 75 years since he joined the country's diplomatic corps.
The “Phillips Room” in the FCDO’s King Charles Street was named by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in honor of Sir Horace Phillips, who was the first British Jewish career ambassador.
The Phillips Room was dedicated to the lifelong diplomat following the 75th anniversary of Phillips joining the British Diplomatic Service. The event was hosted by the FCDO Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Philip Barton who was joined by Phillips’ daughter and other family members, as well as current and former Jewish staff, and British Jewish community figures.
“The initiative is an important moment to celebrate the contribution of Jewish staff to the FCDO and Diplomatic Service,” FCDO said in a statement.
The Phillips Room is dedicated to the “extraordinary life and work” of Phillips and recognizes the “challenges overcome by Jewish FCDO staff past, present and future, and to celebrate their contribution to the FCDO and Diplomatic Service.”
FCDO noted that Phillips (1917-2004) “led an exceptional life.” As the grandson of Jewish refugees from Eastern Europe, he was born into a working-class family in Glasgow and had a traditional Jewish upbringing. From modest means and unable to attend university after the death of his father when he was a teenager, he defied all odds at the time to become a British ambassador to several nations.
“He remained a self-described practicing Jew all his life, while almost exclusively serving in Muslim-majority countries where he became fluent in Arabic and an expert in the Middle East,” FCDO said. “He served in Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Bahrain before becoming British Ambassador to Indonesia in 1966.”
The agency noted that Phillips was appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia in 1968 but the Saudi government withdrew agreement to his appointment after discovering he was Jewish. Sir Horace later said that although the episode was traumatic, the Foreign Office supported him throughout and never lost confidence in him. He went on to become High Commissioner to Tanzania and Ambassador to Turkey.
“The Phillips Room honors the outstanding contribution of Sir Horace and all the FCDO’s Jewish staff, past, present and future,” said Barton, the Head of the Diplomatic Service. “By dedicating this room to him, we have an opportunity to share his story with staff and visitors to our King Charles Street building. That story includes Sir Horace’s remarkable achievements but also recognizes the challenges he faced, and that our Jewish colleagues can still face today.
FCDO highlighted that there are a number of Jewish staff working at the FCDO and at our overseas posts around the world which it described as “continuing Sir Horace Phillips’ legacy.”
It added that the FCDO’s Jewish Network meets regularly to discuss issues of Jewish interest, as well as advocating for Jewish staff in the FCDO. The group is also called The Horace Society, after Sir Horace Phillips.
Sophie Ross and Rebecca Viney, Co-Chairs of the Horace Society, said: “The opening of the Phillips Room is an important moment for the whole Diplomatic Service to reflect on the extraordinary life and career of Sir Horace Phillips, the first British Jewish career ambassador. He was a trailblazer and remains an inspiration for many Jewish staff, who reflect on his diplomatic excellence, talent and fortitude, including in the face of challenges.”
They added: “We hope that the dedication of this room raises awareness of the contribution of Jewish staff to the FCDO Diplomatic Service. We are proud that Sir Horace Phillips’ legacy lives on in the FCDO, with Jewish colleagues continuing to make a contribution at all levels of the organization, including as ambassadors.”
The Phillips Room will display works from the government’s art collection reflecting the Jewish heritage and socio-economic background of Phillips. They will also give an insight into his diplomatic career, focusing on his postings in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Turkey.