UK leaders are preparing for the "biggest pro-Israel gathering ever to have been held in this country".

The We Believe in Israel conference, of which the JC is media partner, will take place in central London on March 22. It is expected to attract 1,500 delegates from across the political spectrum. Organisers say it is aimed at people who support "the right of the state of Israel to live in peace and security".

Mick Davis, chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council, said the conference would be a response to attempts to delegitimise Israel in the wake of the Gaza conflict last summer.

"It will be a catalyst for a big step-change in our capacity to campaign to defend Israel. As such, it deserves the support of the entire Jewish and wider pro-Israel community in the UK," he said.

We Believe in Israel's director Luke Akehurst, spoke of the need "to make Israel's case effectively, particularly in the context of a general election year."

Edward Misrahi, chair of Israel advocacy group Bicom, said this would show that supporters of Israel are determined to match Israel's critics organisationally."