Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted "heartfelt congratulations from Jerusalem" to British Prime Minister-elect Boris Johnson on Tuesday evening, hours after after it was confirmed that Johnson had won the race to lead the British Conservative party and would thereby be replacing outgoing Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May.
"Looking forward to working closely together, both in facing our common challenges and seizing the opportunities ahead," Netanyahu's tweet read.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
"Mazal Tov to Boris Johnson," Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz tweeted Tuesday afternoon.
"I look forward to working with Prime Minister Johnson and his team to build on the existing strong relationship between the UK and Israel," Katz tweeted.
Chairman of the Jewish Agency Isaac Herzog called Johnson "a true friend of Israel."
"I trust you will continue working to make the Jewish community feel safe in the UK in these challenging times," Herzog added in his tweet.
President Reuven Rivlin tweeted: "I am confident that under your leadership the excellent bilateral relations between our two countries will go from strength to strength. I hope to see you back here in #Israel soon."
Congratulations to @BorisJohnson, who will become UK Prime Minister tomorrow. I am confident that under your leadership the excellent bilateral relations between our two countries will go from strength to strength. I hope to see you back here in #Israel soon @10DowningStreet 🇮🇱🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/0U99gj8TwQ
— Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) July 23, 2019
US President Donald Trump added his congratulations, declaring in a Twitter message that "He will be great!"
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also congratulated Johnson via Twitter, writing that Tehran did not seek confrontation with London.
"I congratulate my former counterpart, @BorisJohnson on becoming UK PM," Zarif said on Twitter.
"Iran does not seek confrontation. But we have 1500 miles of Persian Gulf coastline. These are our waters & we will protect them."
"The May govt's seizure of Iranian oil (tanker) at behest of US is piracy, pure & simple," Zarif added.
French President Emmanuel Macron and future head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen both congratulated Johnson on becoming Britain's next prime minister, and said they looked forward to constructive talks with him.
"First of all, congratulations to Boris Johnson for being nominated as prime minister. I'm looking forward to having a good working relationship with him," von der Leyen told a joint news conference with Macron in Paris on Tuesday.
Her views were echoed by the French leader, who said he hoped to work "as soon as possible" with Johnson, not just on Brexit but also other international matters such as tensions with Iran.
Back in the UK, British business groups were urging Johnson on Tuesday to take immediate action to secure a deal to leave the European Union that signals the country was open to enterprise.
Carolyn Fairbairn, head of the Confederation of British Industry, says Johnson has "no time to waste" in his first 100 days and warned him not to "underestimate the benefits" of a good Brexit deal. She says businesses need a "Brexit deal that unlocks confidence."
