Mark Regev, Israel's ambassador to the UK, highlighted Israeli-British security co-operation as he said his country “stands with the people of Manchester”.

At a reception in London on Friday to mark Israel’s Independence Day, he condemned the “savage and brutal” terrorist attack earlier in the week.

Recalling last month’s murder in Jerusalem of Hannah Bladon, a visiting British student, he said: “These were act of cowardice which targeted society’s most vulnerable – young people, children.”

Mr Regev said Israel and Britain co-operated in many areas, which included “working together in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, defence and intelligence. I have no doubt whatsoever by working together closely in these fields, we are helping to ensure both our peoples are safer and more secure.

“We will never allow the forces of terror and hatred to defeat the values upon which we stand together.”