Expat Britons in Israel have been getting out the bunting, scones and bottles of Pimm’s for a right old jolly knees-up to celebrate the Jubilee.

Marilyn Lyons moved from London to Tel Aviv more than half a century ago.
She worked for the British Embassy in Tel Aviv for 37 years as Consular Officer and was Pro Consul when she retired.

Speaking ahead of her planned party, she told the JC how she would be belting out God Save the Queen to honour Her Majesty.

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Marilyn Lyons

She said: “I wanted to do a street party to celebrate the Queen’s platinum Jubilee, but because of space — and the danger of being run over by a bike or electric scooter — I decided to have it in a local park. I first just asked my friends but then I added it to Facebook and have received great interest.

“The Embassy provided me with bunting and I am providing Pimm’s for first arrivals and a great music list, from Pomp And Circumstance to We Will Rock You.

“People will bring their own picnic and I hope to give a rousing rendition of God Save The Queen.”

She recalled how she moved to Israel after reading Leon Uris’s novel Exodus at the age of 18. “I came to Israel on my own in 1968, more or less as soon as I put the book down and with the full support of my parents.”

She added: “The Royal Family has always been a part of my life and I greatly admire the Queen. During my years [at the Embassy] I had the honour of singing both the British and Israeli anthems at the Queen’s birthday parties. So I am proud to be British and Israeli.”

Marilyn revealed she has only two regrets in her life: “One is not having met the Queen and the other is not thanking Leon Uris.”

Born in Glasgow, Lynda Siman Tov now lives in Hod Hasharon, a few miles northeast of Tel Aviv.

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Lynda Siman Tov

As a youngster she had been in Habonim and on a visit to Israel in 1965 met the young soldier who would become her husband. After they married in Glasgow she made aliyah to settle in Israel with him in 1968.

Lynda told the JC: “I am in a ‘Brits Coffee Group’ so we decided to have our next meet as a Jubilee celebration, next to the lake in Hod Hasharon. We’ll enjoy ourselves with a typical English tea – little sandwiches, scones and cream – with suitable music in the background. I am 99 per cent Israeli now but still love to hear everything that happens in the Royal Family.

"I think William will be an excellent king when his time comes, as he and Kate are warm and friendly. A big disappointment for me is that the Queen has never visited Israel and has never connected with the Jewish people, but we’ll leave politics out of it.”

The Brits Living in Israel group, which has 9,015 members, is run by Anton Delin. He likes to keep his members happy by bringing over containers of British goods such as Heinz Baked Beans and Salad Cream, HP Sauce and Cadbury chocolate.

Anton Delin

He will be organising a massive party in the park in Tel Aviv with Marilyn Lyons on 2 June, so it doesn’t clash with the festival of Shavuot.

“We will have bunting, scones and clotted cream — all things British,” Anton told the JC.

“Do I miss the UK? I miss Poundland, Spurs, the banter, the Tube and family and friends, of course, but that’s about it.”

Pimm’s will be an important part of the celebrations, he added. “The Queen represents everything that is good about Britain — fairness, equality, stability, and long may she reign, until 120.”

The UK’s Ambassador to Israel, Neil Wigan, told the JC: “We’re all looking forward to celebrating this June — whether with colleagues and Embassy contacts at our special Platinum Queen’s Birthday Party, or alongside the LGBT+ community on our royal-themed float at Tel Aviv Pride.

“It’s been wonderful to see how involved and excited Israelis are when it comes to the Platinum Jubilee — it just goes to show how Her Majesty really is the UK’s foremost diplomat.”