UK and Israel sign deal strengthening tech, trade and security ties

Timing is controversial given actions of Israel's far-right government towards settlements and judiciary

The UK and Israel have signed a long-term agreement strengthening ties in the fields of defence, security and technology following plans announced last year to put relations between the two countries on an elevated footing.

The timing of Tuesday's agreement is controversial since it will be seen as a mark of approval for Israel's far-right government, which has put settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank at the top of its agenda and faces a massive backlash over plans to neuter the role of the judiciary.