UK Abraham Accords Group signs MOU with Holon Institute of Technology (HIT)

The UK Abraham Accords Group is delighted to have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) to celebrate our joint work on a research paper titled 'UK AI Diplomacy: Boosting British Influence in MENA and Strengthening the Abraham Accords'. Dr. Hadas Lorber, founder and director of the Institute for Responsible AI at HIT, served as lead researcher on this project and was instrumental in making the paper a success.

The MOU will help facilitate closer collaboration in the field of AI diplomacy between UKAAG and HIT, which will in turn help to transform the vision of the research paper into concrete action and material progress in the Abraham Accords process through collaboration on artificial intelligence projects.

The signing ceremony was generously hosted by the British Ambassador to Israel, Simon Walters, at his residence in Tel Aviv. Ambassador Walters spoke highly of the initiative and celebrated Britain's warm relations with all Abraham Accords stakeholder nations. Ambassador Walters also spoke of the UK's commitment to regional stability and responsible innovation.

Matthew Davies, Director of Policy at the UK Abraham Accords Group, said "Through this MOU, we are turning research into action and building a framework for concrete projects between the UK, Israel and the Abraham Accords countries". And, this initiative could mark the beginning of a "new confidence, energy and coherency in British foreign policy in the Middle East".

Dr. Lorber argued that the MOU reflected "a new form of diplomacy — grounded in knowledge, shared responsibility and technological ambition".

Shahd Asfour, tech policy lead at the British Embassy, argued this MoU is a landmark moment in Britain's tech diplomacy in the region. 

Prior to the signing of the MOU, Dr. Lorber and Matthew Davies, UKAAG Director of Policy, presented their research findings and outlined a roadmap to turn the vision of the paper into action through a range of new and exciting initiatives. 

The UK Abraham Accords Group would again like to thank Ambassador Walters, the British Embassy staff, particularly Shahd Asfour and Keren Shurkin, Dr. Hadas Lorber and President Eduard Yakubov of HIT, and all those who attended the ceremony for supporting this important initiative.

The UK Abraham Accords Group's core mission since our founding in 2021 has been to promote the Abraham Accords as the best path to regional stability- and that the United Kingdom has much to offer this process diplomatically. This MOU reflects these ideals and is fully aligned with our purpose. By promoting responsible AI collaboration amongst Abraham Accords states, the UK can help play its part in securing a more stable and prosperous Middle East.