Lord Wolfson of Tredegar KC, past Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Justice - also known as David Wolfson - is on a mission: to feed Israeli soldiers.

Don’t let Wolfson’s titles put you on the back foot. An approachable, cheerful 55-year-old, Wolfson grew up in Liverpool and is still a loyal fan of the city’s football club.

He is a long-time congregant of Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue, an outspoken supporter of Israel in the House of Lords and very aware of his grandparents’ immigrant background.

After the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas in Southern Israel on October 7, Wolfson, 55, was invited to see the areas close to the Gaza border which had been targeted.

Wolfson’s visit concluded with a “point of light in the darkness” - a pop-up café in a tent to feed Israeli soldiers going into Gaza. The guide who showed him round explained that after October 7, locals from a nearby village “set it up unasked”.

Hot food is served at all hours of the day and night, prepared both by residents and by various organisations.

Lord David Wolfson (right) in Israel with Israeli diplomat Joel Lion

It is a space for the soldiers to take the food they want and have a rest between duties. It is free, as is the adjacent “shop”, stocking essentials such as snack bars, socks, batteries and shampoo for soldiers to take away.

Discovering that the restaurant needed new equipment, Wolfson, whose son and son’s girlfriend are in the IDF, determined to help. On returning home, together with his colleague, Wolfson raised several thousand pounds – some to be used for adapting the tent so it keeps out the cold during the winter.

Wolfson muses: “Will it change the course of history? No, but it’s a boots-on-the-ground operation in more ways than one.”

He is gratified that the cafe, for which he is still raising funds, has brought together Israelis from all sides of the religious and political spectrum. “Charedim, right-wing, left-wing - people are getting together to support it,” but notes that “it’s a tragedy it’s taken the attack to create unity”.

To find out more or to support the project, please contact Lord (David) Wolfson on:

david.wolfson@gmail.com