More than £400,000 was raised from the inaugural dinner of the UK branch of Beit Halochem, supporting disabled Israel soldiers and terror victims.

Addressing the 240 diners at the London Marriott, Israeli ambassador Daniel Taub highlighted the importance of the charity’s four rehabilitation centres. Former Mossad head Danny Yatom gave an appraisal of the Middle East situation.

UK chief executive Spencer Gelding said that “as every Israeli soldier is prepared to defend Israel, we must continue to care for the casualties of war”.