1,500 in show of unity and pride

Benjamin Netanyahu's win in the Israeli election and the upcoming general election in the UK were at the forefront of people's minds at the We Believe in Israel conference.

Around 1,500 people flocked to Sunday's event in London to hear politicians from across the political spectrum and representatives from 58 communal organisations discuss solidarity with Israel.

In a display of cross-party unity, Conservative chief whip, Michael Gove, and Michael Dugher, Labour's shadow minister for transport, described their shared support for the Jewish state.

Mr Dugher, who condemned the Israel boycott movement, said: "It's good to be here with Michael Gove. We sit at opposite benches in the House of Commons, but we have one thing in common and that is we both share a passion and believe in Israel."

He added: "I am proud to call myself a friend of Israel. I am proud to call myself a Zionist."

The sentiment was echoed by Mr Gove. He described Mr Dugher's stand with Israel as "outstanding - courageous.

"At the moment, for any politician to say they are a 'Zionist' is not an easy thing to say. I am a Zionist too…

"I feel, as someone who was brought up outside the Jewish community as a Christian, an enormous sense of pride in what the Jewish people have achieved in Israel."

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, said participants could make their support for Israel "meaningful" by translating it into "productive action - visiting Israel as often as we can, online activism, letters to the press and public representatives".

He added: "We need to let the world know, it is no sin to support Israel."

Former Israeli interior minister Gideon Sa'ar spoke about the ongoing threat posed to Israel by terrorist groups.

Israel ambassador Daniel Taub was applauded as he delivered one of the event's closing speeches. He called on the audience to "raise your voice, raise your kids, and most importantly raise your head with pride. Don't let your relationship with Israel be defined by your defence of Israel.

"When you see a demonstration against Israel, it's usually a bizarre coalition of what is sometimes called 'the red-green alliance': radical leftists and extreme Islamists. If you want to break up that coalition, it's extraordinarily easy. You just have to say to them: 'I know what you stand against, but what do you stand for? Are you for women's rights? Or gay rights? Or freedom of expression.' And of course that feeble coalition, which only stands against things, never for, disintegrates before your eyes.

"Our strength is that we stand for, we believe in, we believe in Israel."

Luke Akehurst, director of the conference, said he was proud of the work done by pro-Israel activists.

Edward Misrahi, chairman of Bicom - the Israel advocacy group which organised the conference at the Lancaster Hotel with other pro-Israel groups - said: "The energy and passion of the delegates gave us a lot of confidence in our ability to ensure that the case for Israel is heard loud and clear across the country."

Representatives from the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Ukip friends of Israel groups led individual sessions at the conference.

A number of attendees said they were pleased Mr Netanyahu had been re-elected. Retired lawyer David Lewis, from Finchley in north-west London, said: "I think Netanyahu offers strong leadership in a world lacking strong leadership. He is doing what is in the best interests of his country."

Another common theme was criticism of Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, with participants saying they would not vote Labour in the general election because of his criticism of Israel during the Gaza conflict.

Graham Phillips, from Hertfordshire, said: "I have supported Labour my whole life, but I will not support Miliband. David Cameron is much more supportive of the community."